Harbhajan Singh may have stepped away from international cricket years ago, but he continues to stay relevant in the cricketing world — often making headlines with his bold opinions and unfiltered takes on social media. However, one particular tweet last year sparked a wave of controversy and raised questions about his relationship with India’s premier spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin.
The Controversial Tweet That Started It All
During India’s home series against New Zealand in 2024, Harbhajan posted a tweet saying, “Anyone can get anyone out on these kinds of pitches.” The post didn’t go unnoticed — many cricket fans and analysts interpreted it as a subtle dig at Ashwin, given the spin-friendly conditions and Ashwin’s success on such surfaces.
Social media quickly picked up the story, speculating on possible friction between the two Indian off-spinners. The conversation gained traction with fans debating whether Harbhajan was undermining Ashwin’s achievements.
Harbhajan and Ashwin Address the Rumors Directly
Finally putting the speculation to rest, Harbhajan Singh appeared in a candid chat on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel. In a refreshing display of honesty, Harbhajan addressed the elephant in the room by asking Ashwin point-blank: “Do you think I’m jealous of you?”
He continued, “You are sitting with me today, and we’ve spoken at length. Do you think I’m that kind of person?”
Ashwin chose not to give a direct “no” as an answer, instead offering a grounded perspective: “Even if you were jealous at one point in time, it’s justified. That is my point and I will never take it wrong. Because we are all human and naturally we’re bound to be like that.” He also shared how perceptions from others often cloud the narrative, saying, “Some people think I retired because Washington Sundar is in the scheme of things now. All this is the perspective of other people.”
Harbhajan took the opportunity to clarify his side further. “I just wanted to make one point very clear. When you came into the side and we were playing two spinners, I knew you’d be the one playing for a longer period of time,” he said.
“As a senior, did I think of you as a competition? Probably yes. I felt that I had to step up my game. But we’re sitting here today, and I think everything happens for a reason.”
The conversation between the two legends offered a rare insight into the pressures and dynamics of top-level cricket — reminding fans that even greats are human, and competition often coexists with mutual respect.
