2 world-class off-spinners. 2 match-winners in their own right. No doubt Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin are two of the best bowlers produced by India, especially in Test cricket. Ashwin, with 365 Test wickets to his name, is fast closing on Harbhajan’s record of most wickets (417) as an Indian off-spinner.
Thus it comes as no surprise that the many times in the past the duo were involved in a race for the lone spinner’s spot in the Indian team in overseas Tests. In such cases, feelings of jealousy can overcome the best of us. But not for the men in contention.
Harbhajan during an Instagram live chat on Ashwin’s ‘ReminiscewithAsh’ show on Monday evening conceded that there was no such feeling as jealousy for his junior when the two were part of the same Indian squad.
“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. I also rate Nathan Lyon highly,” said Harbhajan.
Incidentally, Lyon is currently the most successful active off-spinner in Tests in the world with 390 wickets to his name. Harbhajan lauded Lyon for finding success with his off-spin even on the usually unhelpful Australian pitches.
“The Aussie (offie) is also up there because he has done extremely well for himself given the fact that he comes from Australia where the pitches hardly aid spinners. But Ashwin is a legend in the making.
“Going forward, I only want him to stay fit because he is capable of taking a lot more wickets and could finish among the highest wicket-takers in the world,” said Harbhajan.