Without Lalit Modi, what would be the future of the Indian Premier League (IPL)? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banned Lalit Modi for life in 2013; before that, the tone was already set. From 2008 (the inaugural year of IPL) to now, 2025, the Twenty20 franchise tournament is now well known as a cash-rich league, possibly the most popular franchise-based tournament as well. But how was the beginning of IPL, what Lalit did to make the launch successful?

After all these years, the former chairman shared some unheard information about the first match of IPL. Speaking on the former Australian captain Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Lalit Modi claimed that to gain the maximum number of viewers from the very first match of IPL, he breached the exclusivity agreement with official broadcaster Sony, and he brought news channels into play to telecast IPL’s first-ever match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) live. 

"Everything, everything was dependent on that one game. I broke every rule in the book that day. I signed the contract, an exclusive contract with Sony, but Sony didn’t have the reach and asked to open the signal. Now it was available everywhere, right? And I told all the broadcasters who lost out, all of you, all news channels, to go live. Sony said, ‘I’ll sue you.’ I said, ‘Sue me later; forget about it. Ok, we are going live now because you don’t have the reach. I needed everybody to watch the first game. If the first game had flopped, I was dead," Lalit said in the podcast. 

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McCullum's swashbuckling batting played a big role also

The rest is history. The first game in the history of the Indian Premier League turned into a blockbuster hit. Former New Zealand batter Brendon McCullum, who was then a Kolkata Knight Riders batter, smashed a 158-run knock off 73 to set the tone perfectly. The crowd in the gallery and viewers on screen lived every moment of the evening.

McCullum's swashbuckling batting and the KKR vs RCB IPL 2008 match are all now considered landmark moments of Indian cricket.

The former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, Lalit Modi, has again exposed the old wounds of the 2008 season as he released the unseen footage of Harbhajan Singh slapping the former Indian pacer, S Sreesanth, during the tournament. Sreesanth’s wife slammed Modi and the former Australian captain, Michael Clarke, for releasing the video for his personal gain.

During the recent interaction on Instant Bollywood when he attended the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, Harbhajan Singh reacted to the video as he reckoned that there might be a selfish motive behind leaking the 17-year-old video, which has again sparked controversy.

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“The way the video has been leaked is wrong. It shouldn't have happened. They might have a selfish motive behind it. Something that happened 18 years ago, people have forgotten, and they are reminding people about it. I feel bad about whatever happened. We were playing, and everyone had things going on in their mind. Mistakes happened, and we do feel ashamed about it.” Harbhajan Singh expressed.

Watch: Harbhajan Singh reacts to Lalit Modi leaking old 'slap gate' video from IPL 2008

Harbhajan acknowledged the fact that the video has gone but asked for forgiveness as he claimed that Humans make mistakes and the Punjab-born would pray for forgiveness to Lord Ganesh.

“Yes, the video has gone viral. It was an unfortunate incident, and I have said on many occasions that I made a mistake. Humans make mistakes, and I did one too. I have requested Lord Ganesh to forgive me if I make a mistake again. Mistakes happen.” The 2011 World Cup-winner shed light.

“One thing I'd want to change in my life is the incident with Sreesanth. I want to remove that incident from my career. That is the incident I would change from my list. What transpired was wrong, and I shouldn't have done what I did. I apologised 200 times. What I felt so bad about was that even years after that incident, I have been apologizing every opportunity or stage I get. It was a mistake.” Harbhajan Singh shed light on the incident during a old interaction with Ravichandran Ashwin. 

The former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, Lalit Modi, has created another controversy over the 2008 incident of the tournament when he released the video of Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth. Sreesanth’s wife slammed Modi for bringing back the closed chapter for his personal game.

Modi claimed that he had no idea of the pacer’s wife getting angry, as he felt that he always loved to speak the truth. He also addressed that he would have revealed the story earlier had anyone asked him, and when Michael Clarke did, he made the release of the video.

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“I don’t know why she (Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwar) is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can’t do anything about that. I am known to speak the truth. Sree was the victim, and that’s exactly what I said. No one had asked me this question earlier, so when Clarke quipped, I responded.” Modi expressed during a recent interaction on IANS.

Lalit Modi replies to S Sreesanth’s wife on slap moment from IPL 2008

After the video was made public, Sreesanth’s wife had said that both Sreesanth and Harbajan had moved on from the incident, and there was no requirement to release the video. She shed light that it was not the players but their families who were also hurt by the release of the video.

“Shame on you, Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke. You people are not even human to drag up something from 2008 just for your own cheap publicity and views. Both @sreesanthnair36 and Harbhajan have long moved on; they are fathers now with school-going children, and yet you try to throw them back into an old wound. Absolutely disgusting, heartless, and inhuman.” S Sreesanth’s wife addressed.

“The game was over, and the cameras were shut off. Only one of my security cameras was on. As the team finished playing, the players were high-fiving and shaking hands with each other. When it came to Sreesanth and Bhajji. Harbhajan just said to him, ‘Come here', and gave him a backhander.” She shed light.

Former BCCI chairman Lalit Modi recently shared a surprising insight about a promise made to the Indian team before the 2007 T20 World Cup. At that time, a young Indian squad, led by MS Dhoni, was gearing up for cricket’s inaugural T20 World Cup.

Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India went on to win the tournament, marking a historic moment in cricket. This victory not only brought the team widespread recognition but also played a major role in inspiring the creation of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which would later revolutionize the game.

During a chat on the Beyond23 Podcast with former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke, Modi revealed a lesser-known story from behind the scenes. His revelation shed light on the support and assurances given to the players, offering fans an intriguing glimpse into the circumstances that contributed to India’s unforgettable triumph in the first-ever T20 World Cup.

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Lalit Modi Shares a Lesser-Known Story From the 2007 T20 World Cup:

On the podcast, Lalit Modi shared that he had promised the Indian players a luxury car if anyone managed to hit six consecutive sixes or take six wickets in a single over during the T20 World Cup. At the time, achieving such a feat was considered extremely rare and almost impossible, making the promise both thrilling and highly motivating for the young Indian squad.

He said, “ before the 2007 T20 World Cup, I told everyone that whoever will hit 6 sixes or take 6 wickets in an over will receive a Porsche.”

Shortly after, Indian star Yuvraj Singh created history by hitting six consecutive sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad. Thrilled by his achievement, Yuvraj immediately ran to Lalit Modi to claim the promised luxury Porsche, marking a joyous celebration of one of the most unforgettable and iconic moments in T20 World Cup history.

He further said, “ Yuvraj Singh after those 6 sixes came towards me and said, 'where's my Porsche?'”

After making history against England by hitting six sixes in an over and fulfilling Modi’s challenge, Yuvraj Singh reminded Lalit Modi of his Porsche promise. In a playful twist, Modi requested Yuvraj’s bat as a keepsake in return, adding a lighthearted moment to one of cricket’s most memorable T20 World Cup achievements. He added, “ I said give me your bat.”

Lalit Modi continues to keep Yuvraj Singh’s historic bat at his home as a prized keepsake. The bat remains a cherished symbol of Indian cricket history, honoring Yuvraj Singh’s legendary six-sixes achievement and India’s remarkable triumph in the 2007 T20 World Cup, a moment etched forever in memory.

Another chapter of controversy from the infamous ‘slap gate’ incident from the opening season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008 broke out, which saw unseen footage of the ugly fight between two former Indian players, S Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh, being shared around the internet from the game between the Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians.

Bhuvaneshwari Sreesanth, the wife of the former Indian pacer, has publicly shown her frustration over the incident and lambasted the former IPL chairman, Lalit Modi, and the former Australian captain, Michael Clarke. During a recent clip from Beyong23 Cricket Podcast, they brought up the existence of the security camera footage of the altercation.

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“Shame on you, Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke. You people are not even human to drag up something from 2008 just for your own cheap publicity and views. Both @sreesanthnair36 and Harbhajan have long moved on; they are fathers now with school-going children, and yet you try to throw them back into an old wound. Absolutely disgusting, heartless, and inhuman.”  Bhuvaneswari wrote on her Instagram story.

Sreesanth’s wife accuses Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke of bringing up old IPL memories

In the follow-up story, she also articulated her distress, stating that the pacer has rebuilt his life with grace after all the hard work. She also expressed that the families are being forced to go through this trauma that has been buried decades ago.

Instagram story of Sreesanth's wife. ✅ pic.twitter.com/hWKj2ai3Ob

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 30, 2025

“The game was over, and the cameras were shut off. Only one of my security cameras was on. As the team finished playing, the players were high-fiving and shaking hands with each other. When it came to Sreesanth and Bhajji. Harbhajan just said to him, ‘Come here', and gave him a backhander.”

“@sreesanthnair36 has rebuilt his life with dignity and grace after every hardship he faced. As his wife and as the mother of his children, it is deeply painful for our family to see this resurface after 18 long years. This doesn’t just hurt the players; it scars their innocent children who now have to face questions and shame for no fault of theirs.” Bhuvneshwar Sreesanth added.

Both Sreesanth and Harbhajan have engaged themselves in the commentary panel, as they also shared the same box during the following seasons of the league. 

For almost two decades, the controversial IPL slapgate incident between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth stayed unresolved. The actual video footage was kept away from the public eye, leaving fans with only fragments of information.

The incident took place during the inaugural IPL season when Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) defeated Mumbai Indians. It was known Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth, but reasons remained unclear. To add to the drama, broadcasters had switched to commercials, and by the time live coverage resumed, viewers saw Sreesanth in tears, leaving the cricketing world stunned.

These were Indian teammates clashing on a global stage, making the controversy even bigger. Over the years, however, both cricketers have moved past the episode. Harbhajan and Sreesanth eventually reconciled, leaving behind the bitterness and rebuilding a friendship that once seemed impossible.

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The Infamous IPL “slapgate” Incident:

The slapgate saga marked the IPL’s first major on-field controversy, shaping the league’s reputation for dramatic flashpoints. Tensions rose when Sreesanth, after Punjab’s emphatic 66-run victory, approached Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan Singh with a “hard luck” comment, sparking a reaction that remains unforgettable in tournament history.

Earlier in the match, Sreesanth had dismissed Shaun Pollock and exchanged words with Robin Uthappa, who was leading MI’s chase. These actions reportedly upset the Mumbai camp, and tensions spilled over after the game. Harbhajan eventually lost his cool and slapped his younger teammate.

The incident still feels uncomfortable to watch even today. In the handshake line, Harbhajan shockingly slapped Sreesanth with a backhand, leaving spectators completely stunned. The fact that an experienced India cricketer got physical with his national teammate shocked players and fans alike.

Once Sreesanth understood what had happened, he reacted instantly and charged toward Harbhajan, nearly escalating the situation into a fight. Fortunately, Irfan Pathan and Mahela Jayawardene stepped in quickly, restraining the pacer and preventing matters from spiraling further. Pathan also confronted Harbhajan, but he appeared in no mood to calm down, even gesturing outside the ground as if daring for the confrontation to continue.

Despite Harbhajan’s dressing room apology, Sreesanth’s tearful moment became an iconic IPL image. Punjab captain Yuvraj Singh, a close friend, condemned the act, and the BCCI imposed a season-long suspension on Harbhajan.

Lalit Modi Opens up About the Incident:

After 17 years, the long-awaited clip of the infamous IPL slapgate surfaced when IPL founder and former chairman Lalit Modi revealed it during Michael Clarke's ‘Beyond23’ podcast. The release reignited memories of the shocking incident, which had once shaken the tournament and left fans debating what truly transpired between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth during that heated clash.

Lalit Modi said, “ I'll tell you what happened. I will give you the video. I have kept it back. Bhajji is a very dear friend of mine. I love him. It happened on the field, and I was there. It was Bhajji, and it was Sreesanth.”

One of the wildest moments in IPL history, Unseen footage of the Bhajji–Sreesanth slapgate that never been aired#IPL pic.twitter.com/E9Ux8bodOW

— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) August 29, 2025

He added, “ The game was over, and the cameras were shut off. Only one of my security cameras was on. As the team finished playing, the players were high-fiv5'ing' and shaking hands with each other. When it came to Sreesanth and Bhajji. Harbhajan just said to him, ‘Come here', and gave him a backhander.”

Harbhajan Singh Regrets for His Action:

Harbhajan Singh recently reflected on the infamous slapgate controversy with Sreesanth, admitting it is the biggest regret of his career. He confessed that, if possible, he would erase that incident, describing it as an unnecessary and avoidable mistake during his cricketing journey.

He said, “ One thing I'd want to change in my life is that incident with Sreesanth. I want to remove that incident from my career. That is the incident I would change from my list. What transpired was wrong and I shouldn't have done what I did. I apologised 200 times. What I felt so bad was even years after that incident, I have been apologising every opportunity or stage I get. It was a mistake.”

He further said, “ What hurt me even after many years was when I met his daughter and I was talking to her with a lot of love and she said, 'I don't want to talk to you. You hit my father.' My heart was shattered and I was on the verge of tears.”

He added, “ I was asking myself what is the impression I've left on her? She must be thinking of me in a poor light, right? She sees me as the guy who hit her father. I felt so bad. I still apologise to his daughter.”

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by former cricket administrator Lalit Modi, who had sought an order directing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pay a penalty of Rs 10.65 crore imposed on him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). A bench comprising Justices P. S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan stated that Modi is free to pursue civil remedies as per the law.

Earlier, on December 19 last year, the Bombay High Court had rejected Modi's petition and imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh, labeling his plea as “frivolous and wholly misconceived.” The court pointed out that the penalty was imposed on Modi personally by the adjudication authority under FEMA, and the BCCI could not be held liable.

Modi, in his petition, had argued that he served as the BCCI vice president and was also the chairman of the Indian Premier League governing body during the relevant period. He claimed that under the BCCI’s bylaws, the board was obligated to indemnify him against penalties arising from actions undertaken in his official capacity.

Court Upholds Previous Rulings Against Modi's Claims

The Bombay High Court, while referring to a 2005 Supreme Court judgment, reiterated that the BCCI was not a 'state' under Article 12 of the Constitution and therefore determined that no writ could issue against the BCCI for indemnification against the ED's penalties.

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“In matters of alleged indemnification of the petitioner (Modi) in the context of penalties imposed upon the petitioner by the ED, there is no question of discharge of any public function, and therefore, for this purpose, no writ could be issued to the BCCI,” the HC had said. Dismissing the petition, the court further directed Modi to pay Rs 1 lakh to the Tata Memorial Hospital within four weeks.