How Harbhajan Singh got Australians to stop sledging him!
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has enjoyed a rather stormy relationship with the Australians. He has always been in the midst of any controversial moments during India- Australia clashes. The infamous Sydney Test Match in 2008 springs back to life whenever Harbhajan and Australians are spoken about in the same breath.
The ace spinner has enjoyed a very fruitful spell against the Aussies and has always tormented them, both with the ball and with his words. Recently in a talk show with Vikram Sathaye on his show 'What The Duck', Harbhajan finally opened up on how he tackled the sledging dished out by the Australians.
He recalled how once Darren Lehmann, who was fielding at short leg, was trying to break his concentration by incessant sledging when he was batting in a match in Bengaluru. Harbhajan revealed that even as Lehmann continued to mutter, he just looked at his stomach and asked, "Are you pregnant?"
Darren Lehmann was visibly upset with Bhajji's comments and started hurling abuses at him.
Harbhajan then cut through the Australian batting line-up the following day by taking a seven-wicket haul. This enticed Glenn McGrath to pass a statement in which he asked his fellow team-mates to stop sledging Bhajji, as he believed all the banter only spurred Harbhajan on to perform better.
“The more you talk to him, he seems to be getting better. So we are going to leave him alone, so let’s see then what happens", McGrath said.
Harbhajan was forever in the eye of the Australians and few can forget the web he spun around them during the famous 2001 series. He made Ricky Ponting his proverbial 'bunny'. Even with the bat, Harbhajan saved his best for the Australians.
Ricky Ponting is the current coach of IPL franchise team Mumbai Indians. Andrew Symonds who was at the centre of the ' monkeygate' scandal too has played alongside Harbhajan Singh for the Mumbai Indians.