Overview
- Sreesanth issued an open challenge to Harbhajan on Friday, June 19, 2026, during a Lallantop appearance after an old photo of the two in boxing gear was shown.
- He said he has cut contact with and blocked Harbhajan and accused the spinner of earning about ₹1 crore from a recent advertisement that he says made light of the 2008 incident.
- Sreesanth framed the challenge as a matter of self‑respect and pointed to his ties with the Bear Knuckle Fight League and a promotional link to Conor McGregor to underline the seriousness of his offer.
- Harbhajan had not issued a public response in the coverage so far and no formal fight arrangements or legal action have been announced.
- The dispute revives the 2008 IPL ‘slapgate’ that led to punishment and apologies and spotlights tensions over commercialising past controversies and how former athletes use combat‑sports crossovers to settle public feuds.