"It's a mystery for me" - When Harbhajan Singh questioned why the MS Dhoni-led 2011 World Cup team never played together again
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has claimed he doesn't speak to cricket legend MS Dhoni. In an interaction with News18 (via India Today), Harbhajan made it clear that he is not friends with his former India teammate. While acknowledging that he has nothing personal against Dhoni, the 44-year-old added that he only interacted on-field with the keeper-batter when he was part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Harbhajan and Dhoni were key members of the Indian team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa and the 2011 ODI World Cup at home. Dhoni captained the Men in Blue in both the ICC events. However, the off-spinner ran out of favor with selectors and the team management and was constantly in and out of the team across formats.
In July 2023, he questioned why the 2011 World Cup-winning India team led by Dhoni never played another match together again for the country. During an interaction on News24 Sports, he commented (via Times Now):
"I don't know that. They were probably used till the World Cup only and it's a mystery for me as well why that team never assembled again even for one match, which is very surprising. I wish things could be taken back and rectified... Very unfortunate that the team didn't assemble again and didn't play another tournament or even one match."
"It is beyond my understanding that the team was very good until we won the 2011 World Cup but suddenly so many changes in that team after that. People who were winning games, they were no more good," the 44-year-old added.
The former India bowler opined that while some players knew it was their last World Cup, a few others like him could have played more for the country.
"There were some players in that team for whom it seemed like it was their last World Cup but there were quite a few players who could have played. Yes, we were aged but we could have played," Harbhajan said.
The former India spinner played nine matches in the 2011 World Cup and claimed nine wickets at an average of 43.33, with a best of 3-53.
Harbhajan Singh's record in international cricket
Harbhajan played 103 Tests for India, claiming 417 wickets at an average of 32.46, with 25 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls.
In ODIs, he picked up 269 wickets in 236 matches at an average of 33.35, with three five-fers. The 44-year-old also picked up 25 wickets in 28 T20Is, with a best of 4-12.