If you have been a fan of Team India for long, you must have heard about the infamous Monkeygate scandal that occurred back in 2008 during an India vs Australia test series between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. An ungly faceoff between the two ended in a controversy involving Racial discrimination on Harbhajan Singh’s part.
On Day 5 of the 2008 Sydney test, the then Australian captain Ricky Ponting complained to the umpire regarding Harbhajan Singh’s comments targeted at Andrew Symonds. He allegedly yelled racist slurs at the Australian all-rounder and even called him a monkey. Australia ended up winning the test by 122 runs but the controversy was taken to the courtroom.
Harbhajan Singh talks about the Monkeygate scandal
13 years later, now that Harbhajan Singh has finally announced his retirement, he talked about that incident again saying that it was the lowest phase in his career. The legendary Indian spinner promised that he would reveal the full truth about the incident soon.
During a chat with The Press Trust of India, Harbahajan Singh said, “It was something that was uncalled for. Whatever happened during that day in Sydney shouldn’t have happened and also what it led to. It was really unnecessary. But forget about who said what. You and I both know the truth has two sides. No one cared about my side of the truth in the whole episode.”
“No one cared what I went through in those few weeks and how I was mentally sinking. I have never extensively given my side of the story but people will know about it in my upcoming autobiography. What I went through shouldn’t have happened to anyone.”
“If at that point, if someone would have cared for me and in a broader sense, how Indian cricket handled its players, maybe my career could have been different. But no regrets. Those who were decision makers did what they felt was right. So I have nothing to say. Yes, I was bitter back then but when I now look at things, no bitterness,” Harbhajan concluded.