Harbhajan denies Ashwin rift, hints at pitch bias, jibes at Kohli

Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has finally broken his silence on the long-rumored rift with fellow off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Dismissing any personal animosity, Harbhajan addressed the issue in a candid interview, stating that there was "no jealousy" between the two, but subtly hinted that pitch conditions and team dynamics during his final playing years may have favored Ashwin's rise.

Speaking on a podcast, Harbhajan remarked, "I have never had any issues with Ashwin. He’s a fine bowler and has done a lot for Indian cricket. But people should also remember the kind of surfaces we started preparing when I was being phased out." This statement is widely being seen as a dig at the nature of spin-friendly pitches that helped Ashwin dominate at home.

Harbhajan also made an indirect comment that appeared aimed at then-captain Virat Kohli, under whose leadership the team transitioned to a new spin combination. Without naming Kohli, he said, “In Indian cricket, sometimes it's not just about performance but also about who is making the calls. Some people preferred a different setup.”

The former cricketer, who retired from all forms of the game in 2021, emphasized that he felt proud of his achievements and held no grudges. However, his remarks have rekindled debate among fans and analysts about the changing dynamics in Indian cricket’s spin department over the last decade.

Ashwin has remained silent on the issue so far, but the episode has once again brought to light the complexities of selection, team politics, and performance in Indian cricket.