"I don't speak to Dhoni. It's been 10 years and more"- Harbhajan Singh makes stunning revelation about relationship with former Indian skipper
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh made a stunning revelation about his relationship with legendary captain MS Dhoni. He acknowledged that he hadn't spoken to Dhoni for over a decade, barring on-field interactions when they played together.
Harbhajan played under Dhoni extensively from the late 2000s and early 2010s, with the duo combining to help India achieve ultimate glory in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup.
Harbhajan's final appearance for India came under Dhoni in a T20I against the UAE in 2016.
Harbhajan told News18 about his relationship with Dhoni:
"No, I don't speak to Dhoni. When I was playing at CSK, that's when we spoke, but otherwise, we haven't spoken. It's been 10 years and more. I have no reason; perhaps he does. I don't know what the reasons are."
Harbhajan, however, played under Dhoni again during his stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from 2018 to 2020.
"When we were playing in the IPL at CSK, that's when we used to talk, and that, too, was restricted to the ground. After that, he did not come to my room, nor did I go to his," stated Harbhajan.
While the legendary off-spinner pulled out of his final season with CSK in 2020, he played a combined 24 games in 2018 and 2019.
Harbhajan enjoyed an excellent season in 2019 with 16 wickets in 11 outings as CSK finished runners-up. He also bagged seven wickets in CSK's title-winning run in IPL 2018.
"I only ring up those who pick up my calls" - Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh continued his rant about MS Dhoni, pointing at the former captain's lack of response to him.
The Punjab off-spinner is among the most accomplished Indian cricketers with over 700 international and 150 IPL wickets.
"I don't have anything against him. If he has something to say, he can tell me. But if he did, he would have told me by now. I never tried to call him because I have a lot of passion. I only ring up those who pick up my calls. I don't have the time otherwise," Harbhajan said in the same interaction.
"I stay in touch with the ones I am friends with. A relationship is always about give and take. If I respect you, I hope you will respect me back. Or you respond to me. But if I call you once or twice but don't get a response, I will probably only meet you as much as I am needed to," he added.
Meanwhile, Dhoni remains India's most successful captain with 178 wins in 332 matches. He is also the most successful IPL skipper with 133 wins in 226 outings, including five titles as CSK captain.