Harbhajan Singh recently addressed long-standing rumors of a rift between him and Ravichandran Ashwin following the latter’s retirement announcement. Ashwin, one of India’s most successful cricketers, retired as the country’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, behind Anil Kumble. Over the years, comparisons between Ashwin and Harbhajan fueled speculation about a possible discord between the two legendary spinners. However, Harbhajan set the record straight, asserting that there is no ill will between them.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan stated, “If there was ever any issue between us, I would have addressed it directly with Ashwin. However, no such situation has ever arisen. Ashwin has been a phenomenal bowler for India, and I am genuinely happy for his achievements.” He further emphasized that both players have succeeded based on their respective destinies, dismissing any rumors of competition or conflict.
Criticism of Indian Pitches Misinterpreted
Harbhajan clarified that his criticism of Indian pitches had been misconstrued as a personal attack on Ashwin. He has been vocal about the practice of preparing rank turners in India, where matches often end in two or three days due to excessive assistance for spinners.
He explained, “My views on Indian pitches are independent of any player. The conditions heavily favor spinners, which raises questions about the quality of the tracks. Some people twist my comments on social media to make it seem like I have an issue with Ashwin, but that is far from the truth.” Harbhajan reiterated his respect for all players representing India, describing them as colleagues and brothers.
Ashwin’s Legacy and Career Comparison
Ashwin concluded his illustrious career with 765 wickets in 379 international innings, earning 11 Player of the Series awards in Tests, the highest for any male cricketer. Harbhajan, in comparison, took 707 wickets in 442 innings during his career. Despite this numerical comparison, Harbhajan stressed that achievements should be celebrated individually and not used to pit players against each other.
By addressing these rumors, Harbhajan aimed to put to rest any misconceptions about his relationship with Ashwin, highlighting mutual respect and the challenges of representing India at the highest level.
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