Harbhajan Singh Broke Down While Apologising For 'Monkeygate' - Andrew Symonds
Published - 16 Dec 2018, 02:24 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 04:34 AM
Former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds has revealed that an emotional Harbhajan Singh apologized him in private for racially abusing him during 2007-08 ‘Monkeygate’ scandal. However, the incident happened when India and Australia were playing their Test series.
Meanwhile, Symonds said that the event happened when the pair played together for Mumbai Indians in the IPL four years later.
“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’,” Andrew Symonds told Fox Sports.
Symonds reveals about Harbhajan’s effort
Symonds also added that Harbhajan Singh had made an effort to apologize for what had taken place. He also said that how it had affected Symonds when they became team-mates in 2011.
“He goes, ‘look, I’ve got to say sorry to you for what I did to you in Sydney. I apologise, I hope I didn’t cause you, your family, your friends too much harm and I really apologise for what I said, I shouldn’t have said it.’ he added.
Meanwhile, the all-rounder accepted Harbhajan Singh’s apology when he came down crying to him. He also shook hands with the off-spinner and hugged with each other.
“And 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’.” Andrew Symonds further added.
Reflecting on the saga, which saw India threaten to withdraw from their tour of Australia in 2008 after Harbhajan was initially found guilty of racial vilification by the ICC before the verdict was overturned on appeal. Andrew Symonds said that it had been a pivot point leading to the end of his international career as he became disillusioned by the game and its political forces at work.
“I suppose this would be the moment where my whole persona to cricket changed. I didn’t realise how powerful one player, one incident, how much money was at stake and the ramifications.” Symonds concluded.
Harbhajan reacted on the same and revealed that nothing had happened and Symonds words were entirely wrong. He wrote it boldly and asked questions that when did it happen and for what. Moreover, the off-spinner also questioned Andrew Symonds that when he had apologised for the monkeygate scandal.
“WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN ??? BROKE DOWN ???? WHAT FOR ??? Harbhajan broke down when apologising for ‘monkeygate’ – Symonds” Harbhajan tweeted.
WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN ??? BROKE DOWN ???? WHAT FOR ??? Harbhajan broke down when apologising for 'monkeygate' – Symondshttps://t.co/eQFeETVChy
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 16, 2018
