Veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s sudden decline on the international stage post the 2011 World Cup was hastened by the rapid success of Tamil Nadu tweaker, R Ashwin. Ashwin went on to dominate the Test circuit for close to 13 years since his debut, racking up a staggering 537 wickets in 106 Tests, even surpassing his senior offie Harbhajan, who had recorded 417 scalps during his 17-year career.
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Rumours of a rift between the two Indian spin legends had circulated often during their playing days, and both Ashwin and Harbhajan touched upon the sensitive topic during their recent conversation. In a snippet of an upcoming ‘Kutti Stories with Ash’ episode shared on Instagram, Ashwin asks Harbhajan: “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. This comment that you are jealous of this person who is interviewing you today — what would that be about Bhajji pa?”
“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?” responded Harbhajan before Ashwin offered an interesting take on perspectives, justified such an emotion if it ever occurred.
Referring to his own Test retirement last year coinciding with the rising stature of his Tamil Nadu statemate Washington Sundar, Ashwin told: “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.”
“Some people believe I retired because of Washington Sundar. He is in the thick of things now. All of this is the perspective of others,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin and Harbhajan’s international bowling career in numbers
| Ashwin | Harbhajan | |
| Mat | 287 | 367 |
| Inns | 379 | 444 |
| Wkts | 765 | 711 |
| Ave | 25.8 | 32.54 |
| Econ | 3.38 | 3.33 |
| SR | 45.7 | 58.6 |
| 5w | 37 | 28 |
| 10wm | 8 | 5 |
