Sreesanth Opens Up About 'Slapgate' and Regional Discrimination in Indian Cricket

S Sreesanth, the former Indian pacer, has revisited the infamous "slapgate" incident that occurred during the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. The incident, which involved Sreesanth and then-Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh, has been a subject of much discussion over the years.

Speaking on "The Ranveer Show," Sreesanth revealed that he did not cry due to physical pain but rather because of the emotional bond he shared with Harbhajan. He stated that Harbhajan had always been a source of support and guidance for him, and the incident came as a shock.

"I didn't cry because of pain but because of heart. I could not take the fact that he would do it," Sreesanth said. "I was not worried about who was watching. So maybe the kid in me as a younger brother, if an elder brother was shouting, and he had all the right because before the game he had actually told me that don't go overboard with your aggression against us."

Sreesanth also made a significant revelation about his time with the Indian national team. He claimed that he had faced discrimination based on his regional background, with players from the southern part of India being referred to as "Madrasi."

"All my life I have been.... I can say it. See anything below Bombay was more like Madrasi. I have been hearing it from the time I was playing Under-13 to Under-14 to Under-16 to Under-19," Sreesanth said. "Then we had the Kochi (Tuskers Kerala) team and it was like playing for the country again."

Sreesanth's comments have sparked a debate about regionalism and discrimination in Indian cricket. He has called for greater inclusivity and respect for players from all backgrounds.

Tags: #Sreesanth, #HarbhajanSingh, #Slapgate, #IPL, #IndianCricket