Harbhajan Singh, a former India off-spinner, appeared on the newest episode of Ravichandran Ashwin’s Kutti Stories with Ash podcast. In a thorough and sincere conversation, the two former Indian spinners talked about cricket, life, and philosophy.
Harbhajan and Ashwin are one of the top wicket takers of international cricket in India. The next ranked bowler with 765 wickets in the three formats in 287 matches and an average of 25.80 in three formats, including 37 five-fers and eight 10-system match wrappings is Ashwin. At number three comes Harbhajan with 707 scalps at an average of 32.59 with the help of 28 five-winners and five 10-wicket match hauls.
On social media, several quotes from the Ashwin-Harbhajan conversation on the “Kutti Stories with Ash” podcast have gained a lot of attention. We examine five key claims made in the talk program in this segment.
1. Harbhajan Singh and R. Ashwin Break Silence on Rift and Jealousy Rumors
During the podcast, Harbhajan and Ashwin talked about allegations of envy and a rift. Since Ashwin succeeded Harbhajan in the Indian team, there have been numerous allegations over the years that Harbhajan was envious of Ashwin. Ashwin requested Harbhajan to address the topic in an open exchange. He stated:
“Do you think I am jealous of you? You are sitting with me today, and we have spoken at length. Do you think I am that kind of person?”
Harbhajan Singh
Chipping into the conversation, Ashwin replied:
“Even if you were jealous at one point, it is justified. That is my point. I would never take it the wrong way because we are all human. Naturally, it is bound to be like that.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
Harbhajan Singh clarified that his remarks were directed at Indian pitches, which have made it much simpler for spinners to take wickets, but he reaffirmed that he had not the slightest bit of jealousy.
2. Harbhajan Singh Opens Up About Painful Conversation with Sreesanth’s daughter
Harbhajan expressed contrition for the Sreesanth-related Slapgate event during the podcast. He also acknowledged that, if given the option, he would wish to forget that particular occurrence from his life. The 45-year-old also talked about how he was devastated by an encounter with Sreesanth’s daughter.
According to Harbhajan, the daughter of the former Kerala cricket player told him:
“I don’t want to talk to you. You hit my father.”
Elaborating on the exchange, the former India off-spinner added:
“My heart was shattered, and I was on the verge of tears. What is the impression I’ve left on her? She must be thinking of me in a poor light, right?”
Harbhajan Singh
3. Harbhajan Singh Admits Regret Over Neglecting Family During Career Lows
Harbhajan opened up on the podcast with Ashwin, saying that he regrets his bad behavior with his family since he was unable to strike a balance between his personal and professional lives. The former cricket player for India said:
“I used to have fights with my wife when things did not go my way on the field or off it. You bring that mood back home. That anger seeps through in our daily conversations at home. What wrong did they do?
Harbhajan Singh
“If I look back, there were so many times when I had a bad tour and I did not talk to my family properly after coming back. I regret those moments. That time is gone and I made a mess of it. When my sister came to see me, I didn’t talk to her.”
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan is married to Geeta Basra, a former actress. The couple has two children: daughter Hinaya Heer Plaha (9) and son Jovan Veer Singh Plaha (4).
4. Harbhajan Singh candidly admits Indian legend was not a fan of his bowling
Harbhajan also acknowledged in the podcast that he believed Indian spin star Bishan Singh Bedi did not like the way he bowled. The ‘Turbanator’ believed that because the late Bedi did not frequently fly the ball, he was most likely not a huge fan. He stated:
“Honestly, I didn’t have a lot of interactions with him. For some reason, I thought he didn’t like me a lot. Of course, it could just be my thought. But yeah, I am his huge admirer. I have immense respect for him, and I always sought his blessings whenever I met him. But, I’ve always felt that he wasn’t really happy with my bowling. My bowling didn’t have the flight that he thought was needed.”
Harbhajan Singh
In 67 Test matches, the late Bedi—who was a member of India’s renowned spin quartet—took 266 wickets at an average of 28.71, including 14 five-fers and one match haul of ten wickets.
5. Former off-spinner picks India’s greatest match-winner with the ball
Harbhajan chose Anil Kumble over Kapil Dev and Ashwin as India’s best match-winner with the ball during his interview on the podcast. He praised the former captain of India as the strongest fighter, saying:
“Of course, people say I picked up wickets, and so did you, or even Kapil paaji, but I think Anil Kumble is India’s greatest match-winner and the biggest fighter on the field. He was someone we all used to look up to. He has got a method, ‘This is how it’s done, and ‘I will do it’ kind of attitude. He will not rely on others to do it. He was also a leader.”
Harbhajan Singh
Kumble is the top wicket taker in the international cricket by India. The ex-leg-spinner of India featured 401 matches and scored 953 wickets in the period of 1990-2008 with an average of 30.06 per wicket and 37 five-fers and 8 10-wicket match figures.
