Former India cricketer Harbhajan has recalled how his feud with the late Andrew Symonds turned into a friendship after the controversial Monkeygate scandal of the 2007/08 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Both players were part of Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians which won the trophy in 2013. However, they had to work off the field before they could have a good relationship on the field. “Harbhajan says the moment came at a friend’s house in Chandigarh where Symonds approached him with a bottle of Bundaberg rum,” quoted the Daily Telegraph.
“We sat together for a long time and talked about it and at the end of the conversation we had a long, long hug and the picture of the hug became very popular in our chat group,” Harbhajan said. “I wrote a very nice article on him for my book that I want to make with him and I want to have that photo. I wrote about how a very ugly fight became a great friendship. I think things happen for a reason. That Sydney thing never exploded.
“When he came, ‘How do we fix this?’ “But we sat down and talked about it. We put the controversy behind us. We had the best time together,” the off-spinner added.
Commenting on Star Sports, Harbhajan wished that the incident would not happen. “I wish none of us had to go through this. Andrew is missed every day. I was shocked by the news of his death. When I heard about his accident, I hoped it was fake news. I couldn’t believe it.”
“When I was getting off the plane in Brisbane last week, I thought if he was still alive and living in Brisbane, I would have gone to his place that night. Then we made out. I just know. That’s how we were.”
what happened
The New Year’s Test between India and Australia in Sydney, often remembered for the ‘Monkeygate’ scandal, saw one of cricket’s ugliest controversies. Australian captain Ricky Ponting had complained that Harbhajan had racially insulted Symonds by calling him a ‘monkey’ on the last day of the Test.
Australia beat India by 122 runs in the Test, but the real battle was yet to come. It was fought out in court over the next few days, with Harbhajan suspended for three Tests.
Testimony of the incident flew in from both sides. Match referee Mike Proctor found his picture splashed on the front page of an Indian newspaper. Michael Clarke was one of the Australians who claimed he had heard Harbhajan, while India’s senior players supported Harbhajan.
In ‘Playing It My Way’, Tendulkar wrote, “Anil Kumble (then captain) and I took the lead and it was unanimously decided that we would boycott the tour if Bhajji’s ban was upheld.”
“I want to state clearly that this incident happened because Andrew Symonds was constantly trying to provoke Bhajji and it was inevitable that the two would have a fight at some point. To calm things down, I told Symonds ‘Teri maa ki’ (Your mother…) It’s an expression we often use in North India to vent our anger and for me it was all part of the game,” said the batting master.
Ultimately, Harbhajan’s punishment was reduced to a 50% match fee fine. ICC has removed umpire Buckner from the third Test in Perth. India won the Test in Perth but Australia tied the final Test in Adelaide to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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