In a recent publication, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has addressed the long-standing rumors of a split between him and Ravichandran Ashwin. Speculation ran high after Ashwin's unexpected retirement announcement, which closed the chapter on one of the most illustrious careers in Indian cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin: A pivotal figure in India's spin bowling
Ashwin, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket after the Gabba Test against Australia, has been very important in India's spin bowling. With his career, spanning more than a decade, he crossed paths with Harbhajan, another legendary spinner known for his aggressive style and his contributions to Indian cricket. Over the years, it has been inevitable to compare these two spinners, leading to rumors of discord, especially on social media platforms.
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Harbhajan Singh reacts to the rumor with Ashwin
In a candid video posted on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan tried to set the record straight. He began by praising Ashwin's achievements, mentioning how special Ashwin was for Team India and was happy with the performance of the Chennai-born cricketer. Harbhajan thought that if there was any problem between him and Ashwin, he would have been the first to clear things up but it was nothing like this.
“He has been an amazing bowler for India. I am very happy to achieve it. If there is a conflict between me and Ashwin or if there was ever a fight, dispute 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.” said Harbhajan on his YouTube channel, stressing that there was no basis in considering a personal dispute.
He also clarified that his comments, often criticizing the spin-friendly nature of Indian pitches, were misinterpreted as criticism of Ashwin.
“If people twist things on Twitter and make it look like I have a problem with Ashwin, that's their opinion. I am a bit vocal that the pitches on which India play cricket are not good tracks,” Harbhajan added.
