Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh—two of India’s finest off-spinners—recently came together for a heartfelt conversation that tackled years of speculation surrounding their relationship. While both players have made significant contributions to Indian cricket, the transition from Harbhajan to Ashwin as the team’s lead spinner sparked constant chatter about a possible rift between the two.
Ashwin, who rose to prominence around the time Harbhajan’s international career was winding down, finally opened up about the rumours in a frank discussion on his YouTube series ‘Kutti Stories With Ash’. The conversation offered clarity on their dynamic and aimed to put lingering doubts to rest.
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During the episode, Harbhajan set the record straight, dismissing the notion that he harboured any envy toward Ashwin when the latter entered the scene in 2011. At the time, Harbhajan was a seasoned campaigner, while Ashwin was a newcomer trying to make his mark.
Ashwin addressed the speculations head-on:
“This whole jealousy bit, before I allow you to answer that, let me clarify something. People look at everything from their perspective. For example, if they are passing a comment on me, they believe that others would see the world through their eyes," he said.
"Their comments that you (Harbhajan) are jealous of this person who is interviewing you today (Ashwin), what would that be about, Bhajji pa?"
In response, Harbhajan turned the question around and challenged the assumption directly:
“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?"
Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, responded with a level-headed take, acknowledging jealousy as a natural feeling:
“Even if you were jealous at one point in time, I think it’s justified. That is my point, and I will never take it wrong because we are all human.”
“Naturally, it is bound to be like that. Some people believe I retired because Washington Sundar is in the thick of things. All of this is the perspective of others,” he added.
Ashwin currently stands as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in international cricket, trailing only the legendary Anil Kumble. Harbhajan, too, had a stellar career, ending with over 400 wickets in Test cricket—cementing both players’ legacies as two of India’s premier spin bowlers.
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