Harbhajan broke down while making peace over ‘monkeygate’, reveals Andrew Symonds

Bhajji soon responded to the claims by Symonds.

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Andrew Symonds of Australia watches Harbhajan Singh
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Andrew Symonds of Australia and Harbhajan Singh of India. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

It’s been a decade since the infamous ‘monkeygate’ episode broke out during India’s 2007-08 tour of Australia but it remains an integral part of the cricketing rivalry between the two powerhouses. The ugly incident took place during the Sydney Test of 2008 when ace Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was accused of calling former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds a “monkey”.

The matter had snowballed into one of cricket’s biggest controversies and it was after three years that the duo called it peace, thanks to the Indian Premier League where both appeared for the same side Mumbai Indians. Recently, Symonds, one of the hardest hitters of the ball the game has seen, revealed that the Turbanator had broken down at the time of burying the hatchet and he could see that the Indian cricketer got rid of a huge burden in the process. The Indian spinner, though, begged to differ in his tweet.

Could see him getting rid of a burden

“…He actually broke down crying, and I could just see that was a huge weight off his shoulders, he had to get rid of it. We shook hands and I gave him a hug and said: ‘Mate, it’s all good. It’s dealt with’,” Symonds told Fox Sports.

India’s tour of Australia in 2007-08 was one of the most controversial ones and saw the cricketing ties between the two sides reaching a low. The Sydney Test, in particular, made the headlines for all wrong reasons, including dubious umpiring, and India lost the match by 122 runs despite taking a lead of 69 runs in the first innings.

Harbhajan, who had an ugly spat with Symonds, who was the man of the match for a big century, a half century and three wickets, had denied any wrongdoing and suspended for three games. The ban was later reversed after India lodged a protest.

“We go to a very wealthy man’s place for a barbecue, drinks and dinner one night and the whole team’s there and he had guests there, and Harbhajan said ‘mate, can I speak to you for a minute out in the garden out the front’,” Symonds was quoted as saying.

The former Australian cricketer revealed that Harbhajan apologised to him saying that he hoped his words did not cause him, his family and friends too much harm and conceded that he shouldn’t have said it.

Symond claimed his life had suffered a jolt in the wake of the incident. His last Test came against South Africa later that year and he was 33 then.

Broke down for what, asks Harbhajan

Harbhajan in a tweet said that he wasn’t aware of any such incident of breaking down. “When did that happen??? Broke down???? What for???” asked the Indian cricketer in his tweet.

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