Had a lot of questions in mind, no one told me why I was dropped, reveals Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh recently pulled curtains on his illustrious career and has said that there were many questions in his mind, but no one told him why he was dropped from the team. Harbhajan ended up with 711 international wickets in his 23-year stint being a part of two World Cup winning teams.
Harbhajan Singh recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket pulling down curtains on his illustrious career. Harbhajan has 711 international wickets during 23 years career. He has 25 T20I wickets and 269 ODI wickets. Also he is the fourth highest wicket-taker for India in Tests behind Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Ravichandran Ashwin with 417 wickets.Â
Harbhajanâs last match for India was a T20I in 2016 but he continued to play the Indian Premier League. He was a part of Kolkata Knight Riders for the last season. However, in spite of his consistent performances in international cricket, Harbhajan wasnât a regular face in the team after the 2011 World Cup with the emergence of Ravichandran Ashwin. Reflecting on his career Harbhajan said that he was surprised on his sudden exit and one told him why he was dropped. He also said that he would have ended up taking 500-550 wickets with the right kind of support.Â
âWhen someone takes over 400 wickets and then he doesnât get a chance or heâs not been told the reason for the drop, many questions are raised in mind. I asked many people regarding my drop out from the team, but I didnât get any reply,â Harbhajan said in an interaction with Dainik Jagran.
âIt always feels nice to have that support. Iâll say that if I got the support at the right time, I wouldâve retired much earlier after 500-550 wickets because I was 31 when I reached the 400-wicket mark. If I played 3-4 years more, I wouldâve reached 500 wickets but that didnât happen.â
Harbhajan said that his removal from the team even after taking 400 Test wickets depicts the âsad story of Indian cricketâ.Â
"I asked them have I suddenly lost my appearance or my bowling has deteriorated or what has happened that you are not choosing me at all. There was no answer to this. And if this can happen to the 400 wicket-taker, then no one will ask the 40 wicket-taker. This is a sad story of Indian cricket where the one who has achieved something, isn't even talked to properly after he is not needed,â he concluded.Â