Not having Harbhajan Singh is a disappointment, says Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani

Not having Harbhajan Singh is a disappointment, says Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani

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After 10 long years with the 'Mumbai Paltan', Harbhajan Singh has bid adieu to his former team as owner Nita Ambani admitted that it will be 'disappointing' to see the off-spinner leave but wished him all the best. Bhajji was picked up by the CSK franchise for his base price Rs. 2 crores.

The crowd at the Wankhede stadium will miss out on one of their favorite players this year as they bid farewell to one of their most trusted custodians, Harbhajan Singh. The off-spinner has been a part of the Mumbai franchise since 2008 and represented them in 136 matches and picked up 127 wickets throughout his stay.

Mumbai Indians won their first ever championship under Harbhajan's captaincy and he was even adjudged as the man of the match for his contribution with bat and ball in the finals. The off-spinner was let go by the Mumbai based franchise this season as they sought to bring in younger talents with an eye on the future.

Mumbai team owner Nita Ambani agreed that it was hard to let the Harbhajan go, but conceded that it was best for the parties involved.

“I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed that we didn’t get X or Y. However, we won’t be having Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh), so that’s a disappointment,” said Ambani in an interview to the Telegraph. Reflecting on the auctions she went on to add, “Happy and exhausted… That would be my reaction,” 

Harbhajan was bought by CSK at his base price of Rs. 2 crores and will form an integral part of the core team led by the ever-enigmatic MS Dhoni. The Punjab-born star was a part of the auction only for the second time as Mumbai Indians displayed their loyalty by retaining him on previous two occasions but the Super Kings were adamant to get the spinner this time around after losing Ravichandran Ashwin to Kings XI Punjab.

"They called me and spoke to me about their ongoing plans. They are like family and have to accept the decision," Harbhajan revealed.

"Whatever they are doing, they are doing it for the best of their team and whatever they are looking to do. I am not disappointed. I am always like this. Whoever takes me I will give my 100 per cent."

With his decade long association with the Mumbai Indians coming to an end, only time will tell if the decision to let ‘the Turbanator’ go, was the right one or not.

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