NEW DELHI: Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh has shared how his once-bitter feud with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds evolved into a deep friendship, highlighting how one of cricket's most infamous scandals ended on a positive note.
The 2007-08 Test series between India and Australia was marred by the "Monkeygate" controversy, where Symonds accused Harbhajan of racially abusing him during the Sydney Test. The allegation led to Harbhajan being handed a three-match ban, later reduced after appeals. The saga nearly derailed India's tour of Australia, with tensions flaring on and off the field.
Despite the acrimony, the pair eventually reconciled after being teammates for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Harbhajan recounted how their friendship began when Symonds visited his home in Chandigarh with a bottle of Bundaberg Rum, a gesture that broke the ice between the two rivals.
"We sat together for a long, long time and talked about it. At the end of the conversation, we had a long hug," Harbhajan said in an interview with Code Sports. "The picture of the hug became very famous in our chat groups. A very ugly spat became a great friendship."
Reflecting on the incident, Harbhajan admitted the controversy should never have escalated to the level it did. "That Sydney thing should never have exploded like it did. We did sort out everything. We left the controversy behind and went on to win the IPL championship together," he said.
Harbhajan also expressed profound grief over Symonds' untimely death in a car crash in May 2022 at the age of 46.
"When I heard the news of his accident, I just hoped it was false. I couldn't believe it," Harbhajan said. "I was shattered. When I was in Brisbane last week, I thought if he were still alive, I'd have gone to his place that night, and we would have gone out. That's the bond we shared."
The two cricketers' journey from animosity to camaraderie serves as a testament to the transformative power of sports and mutual respect. Harbhajan concluded by emphasizing the enduring impact of Symonds on his life, saying, "Andrew is missed every day."
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