Harbhajan Singh clears the air if he has a personal rift with Ravichandran Ashwin

Amid rumors of a personal issue with Ravichandran Ashwin, legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh shut them down for good.

Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin (Via X)

Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary Indian off-spinner, called it quits from international cricket after the end of the third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 at the Gabba in Brisbane. It was a decision that shocked everyone, as no one saw it coming, and that too in the middle of the series.

The Tamil Nadu man finished his career as the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for India after Anil Kumble. He has also been one of the biggest reasons why India did not lose any Test series at home between 2012 and 2024.

Another legendary off-spinner from India, Harbhajan Singh, has been compared to Ashwin throughout his career. Moreover, there have been rumors always that there is a possible rift between the two spinners, and Bhajji is also allegedly jealous of the Tamil Nadu man.

However, Singh talked about this just after the retirement announcement from Ashwin.

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 Singh said on his YouTube channel

Ashwin has definitely been the greatest matchwinner in Test cricket for India. He has amassed 11 Player of the Series awards in Test cricket, which is the most by any cricketer in Test cricket. Ashwin has played 106 Test matches and has picked up 537 Test wickets at an average of 24.01 and a strike-rate of 50.74. He has 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

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Harbhajan Singh has been vocal about the pitches used in Test cricket in India

Bhajji slammed the trolls on social media who claimed he had a personal issue with Ashwin. He clarified that his complaints were only about the pitches in India over the past decade, which start spinning from day one, causing Test matches to end in just two and a half days.

Harbhajan Singh said that he has been vocal about the pitches used in Test cricket in India — Harbhajan Singh (Via X)

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 tracks, there is a lot of spin on these tracks and matches get over within two and a half days.
Harbhajan Singh said

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Meanwhile, Ashwin played his last match for India in the second Test match of the ongoing BGT series at the Adelaide Oval, which was also a pink ball Test. The series is level at 1-1, and India will face Australia in the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the MCG.