Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of continuing to profit from the "slapgate" episode.
Speaking on The Lallantop, Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of continuing to profit from the "slapgate" episode and challenged him for a genuine, unscripted bout.
Although both former India teammates have publicly moved on from the saga, Sreesanth recently took exception to an advertisement featuring Harbhajan that used the 2008 incident for comedic relief.
Sreesanth found the act of commercialising the incident unacceptable, claiming that Harbhajan not only did the advertisement but also asked him to share the video on his own social media channels, which he refused and blocked the former off-spinner on Instagram.
Sreesanth pointed to an old promotional image of the pair in boxing gear and asked Harbhajan would be willing to face him in an actual fight.
"This same scene, do you have the guts? Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Can you sign and come? I am asking him. Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Wearing these same gloves? This is not acting. I am smiling. You are not even smiling, I don't know what you are doing. Let's see. This is an open challenge," Sreesanth told The Lallantop.
"I am currently in the Bear Knuckle Fight League. I am challenging you, Bhajji. If you have this much of a problem with the slap thing and me, and you earn this much... let me earn too. Come into the ring. I am calling you from my heart. If we have some self-respect, let's not do ads and all that. In a genuine way, for all the Malayalis and all the Sardars, please come. I am waiting," he added.
The "slapgate" controversy resurfaced in August 2025 following the release of previously unseen, high-definition footage of the incident by former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 Podcast.
In the never-seen-before footage, Harbhajan could be seen slapping Sreesanth with the back of his hand during the post-match handshakes.
Sreesanth was left in tears after the incident, being consoled by his captain and Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene. Harbhajan then once again proceeded to return towards Sreesanth, making an animated gesture before Irfan Pathan and Mahela diffused the situation.
While Harbhajan had previously expressed deep regret over the incident, his new commercial left Sreesanth fuming and renewed the controversy.