Harbhajan Singh has dismissed the rumors of a rift with Ravichandran Ashwin and confirmed that there is no bad blood between them after the Tamil Nadu cricketer retired from international cricket.
Ashwin called time on his illustrious career after the Gabba Test on December 18. For years, there were rumors of a rift between Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin, with speculations suggesting that the Jalandhar-born off-spinner was unhappy with the latter’s rise in Indian cricket.
Harbhajan Singh dismisses claims of tension with Ravichandran Ashwin, praises his achievements
These claims gained momentum especially towards the end of Harbhajan’s career, when Ashwin started to be preferred over him during MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Even after the retirement, the former Indian off-spinner tried to underestimate Ashwin’s performance with the ball in the home conditions in Test cricket.
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However, after the Indian all-rounder’s retirement, Harbhajan clarified that rumors of rifts are just baseless. Addressing rumors of a rift with Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh said that he only reads social media when necessary. He also clarified that if there had ever been any issues between them, he would have been the first to address them with Ashwin.
It will never be like this because…: Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh said in a video posted on his YouTube channel: “I read social media only as much as I need to. If there is a standoff between me and Ashwin, or if there is ever any fight, quarrel, or disagreement, I would be the first person to go up to him and ask what the issue is. But it was never like this, and it will never be like this because whatever is in his destiny he will get it, and I got whatever was in my destiny.”
Well, Ashwin’s impressive stats speak for themselves—537 wickets in 106 Tests, including 37 five-wicket hauls, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test history after Anil Kumble. In comparison, Harbhajan, with 417 wickets in 103 Tests, sits fourth on the all-time list.
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The commentator has also emphasized that he is very happy about Ashwin’s remarkable achievements as a bowler for India. Hailing Ashwin as a ‘phenomenal bowler,’ the former Indian spinner has further explained that if people on social media twist things, it’s their perspective.
He has been a phenomenal bowler for India: Harbhajan Singh on Ravichandran Ashwin
Some critics, including Harbhajan, have argued that Ashwin got so many wickets because the Indian pitches provided significant support to spinners from the very first day of a Test match.
Speaking about his criticism of the quality of pitches in India, the former Indian cricketer said that India’s spin-heavy tracks often lead to matches ending quickly, and it is still against such conditions.
Harbhajan signed off by saying, “He has been a phenomenal bowler for India. I am very happy for his achievement. If people twist things on Twitter and make it seem as if I have a problem with Ashwin, then it’s their point of view. I am a little vocal about the fact that the pitches on which India plays cricket are not good cricket; there is a lot of spin on these tracks, and matches get over within two and a half days.”