"I read social media only as much as I need to" - Former India player clears the air on reported rift with Ravichandran Ashwin
Team India's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket after the recently concluded third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25). Following his retirement, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh cleared the air on a reported rift with the Chennai-based cricketer.
Harbhajan stated that he didn't pay much attention to what was being said about him on social media. The cricketer-turned-commentator emphasized that he would have taken the initiative to solve things if there had ever been any tiff with Ashwin.
Lauding Ashwin's decorated career and suggesting that he never had any problem with the wily spinner, here's what Harbhajan said in a video shared on his YouTube channel (from 3:29):
"I read social media only as much as I need to. If there is a standoff between me and Ashwin or if there was 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. He has been a phenomenal bowler for India. I am very happy for his achievement."
Harbhajan highlighted that people felt he had an issue with Ashwin as he was vocal about India using rank turners for home Tests. He added:
"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 play cricket are not good cricket, there is a lot of spin on these tracks and matches get over within two and a half days.
"Because I am vocal about it, there is a lot of noise on social media and people think I have a problem with one individual. I don't have a problem with any individual, I respect everyone because it is not easy to play for the country. They are all my colleagues, they are all my brothers, some elder, some younger."
Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh are arguably the greatest off-spinners to have played for India. Ashwin finished his career as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket, bagging 765 scalps (in 379 innings) across formats. Harbhajan is placed third on the list, with 707 wickets (in 442 innings) to his name.
When fans felt Harbhajan Singh took a dig at Ravichandran Ashwin
Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2023, former India Wasim Jaffer tweeted to opine that the visiting Australian team were concerned about facing Ravichandran Ashwin.
Harbhajan Singh, however, had a different take. Replying to Jaffer's post, the 44-year-old shared a picture of the Nagpur pitch, reckoning that Australia were worried about the spin-friendly track and not Aswhin.
Harbhajan Singh faced the wrath of fans for his post as certain Indian supporters felt that he was taking a sly dig at Ravichandran Ashwin. India eventually won the four-match series 2-1 and Ashwin was the leading wicket-taker with 25 wickets.