New Delhi/UNI: Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh has rejected the perception that he is jealous of his former India teammate Ravinchandran Ashwin, saying the Tamil Nadu off-spinner is a 'legend in making'.
Harbhajan and Ashwin are two of the best bowlers produced by India, especially in Test cricket. They shared cricketing rivalry for the lone spinner spot in the India squad till a few years ago.
However, speaking to Ashwin on his Instagram Live chat show 'ReminiscewithAsh', Harbhajan said that he has no negative feelings towards his junior.
'A lot of people would say that there is a lot of jealousy between us. But I would want to call out to those detractors and say there is nothing like that. Ashwin is the best offie in the world right now,' said Harbhajan.
"Of course I Like Nathan Lyon as well. I always put him right up there because he plays in Australia and it is a tough place to bowl (for spinners). You (Ashwin) are one of those legends in the making. I wish you the very best and lots and lots of wickets," he added.
Harbhajan is not yet retired but last played for India in 2016. The 39-year-old has played 103 Tests with his final game coming in 2015.
On the other hand, the Chennai-born off-spinner has played 71 Tests since making his debut in 2011. Ashwin, with 365 Test wickets to his name, is fast closing on Harbhajan's record of most wickets (417) as an Indian off-spinner.
The right-arm bowler has also played 111 ODIs, in which he has picked 150 wickets at an average of 32.91. The 33-year-old has also picked 52 T20I wickets in 46 matches at an average of 22.94.
The chat between the two world-class off-spinners, was focused on India's famous Test series win over Australia at Chepauk in 2001.
The Jalandhar-born cricketer took Hayden’s wicket after the opener had scored 203 runs to take Australia’s score to 391. Harbhajan took seven wickets in the innings whereas Bahutule took just one wicket of Mark Waugh in 21 overs he bowled.
India won the match by two wickets and Harbhajan was named 'Player of the match' for taking 15 wickets.
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