The 2008 Test match between India and Australia at Sydney is known for the ‘Monkey gate’ scandal. Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds were involved in the infamous scandal that is still remembered. The match is also famous for some horrific umpiring that led to India losing the test match after being in a strong position.
The Indian captain back then Anil Kumble in the post-match presentation had said, “There was only one team playing within the spirit of the game”. Harbhajan who was the central figure if the Sydney Test recently recalled that disastrous match with former teammate Aakash Chopra. The off-spinner stated that it felt as if the Australian captain Ricky Ponting was the umpiring in the match.
Ponting was seen claiming catches even when it looked as if the ball had bounced. Sourav Ganguly was caught by Micheal Clarke in the slips that looked like a bump ball but Ponting was seen giving his verdict to the umpire that it was out. It is a test match that no Indian player and fan will never forget and Harbhajan explained the entire story.
Ricky Ponting behaved like an umpire – Harbhajan Singh
“When I talk about the 2008 Test against Australia in Sydney, I think in that match, Ricky Ponting was the umpire himself, he was claiming catches and then was pronouncing the verdict, Australians say what happens on the ground should stay on the ground, but the incident that happened between me and Symonds went beyond the ground”, Harbhajan told Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.
He added, “I and Symonds were very close to each other, only Tendulkar was close to us, there was no one else close to us, when the hearing started, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, all these four said that they heard what Bhajji said to Symonds”.
“I thought you guys were nowhere near the picture, even Sachin Tendulkar did not know what actually transpired between me and Symonds, only both of us knew what we talked about, I was engulfed in a conspiracy, there was an enquiry and I was very scared as to what was happening with me. Australian media made me Michael Jackson, I was being constantly chased by cameras”, said Harbhajan.
Harbhajan Singh credited Anil Kumble for leading by example when he supported him during those difficult times. The legendary off-spinner also said that he was immensely supported by his captain and the entire Indian team during the 2008 Australian tour. The Indian team bounced back in the next game and won a famous Test match at Perth.
