Harbhajan Singh, one of India’s finest off-spinners and a true match-winner of his era, has never shied away from speaking his mind. Known for his fiery bowling spells and equally strong views, he has carried his voice beyond the field ever since retirement. In a recent interview, he touched upon two sensitive issues — India’s ties with Pakistan in cricket and the ongoing struggles of his home state, Punjab.
Looking ahead to the Asia Cup clash in Dubai, Harbhajan stressed that an India-Pakistan cricket match can only have real meaning if the political and social atmosphere between the two countries improve. He reminded everyone that matches between the traditional rivals always capture global attention but in the wake of Operation Sindoor, which India launched after a devastating ter*or att@ck in Pahalgam earlier this year that k*lled 26 tourists, many questioned whether cricket or business should even continue.
Recalling a recent instance, he mentioned that during the World Championship of Legends, his team decided not to play against Pakistan. He explained that this was in line with the Indian government’s policy of prohibiting bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan after the att@ck, allowing contests only in multilateral tournaments.
While Harbhajan personally does not favor cricket or trade with Pakistan under the current circumstances, he clarified that he respects the government’s decision-making power. He added that for him, the priority is improved relations between the two nations and only then sport or business can flow naturally.
Switching his focus to Indian cricket, Harbhajan was full of praise for the current team. He expressed confidence that India remains the strongest side in world cricket despite the retirements of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20 internationals.
He said that the squad has rebuilt impressively and carries enough depth to beat any opponent. Bhajji noted that playing in Dubai would almost feel like playing at home and he underlined the importance of spinners in those conditions. He expressed hope that the team would bring the Asia Cup trophy back home.
Harbhajan also took the opportunity to highlight the devastation caused by floods in Punjab. Speaking with heartfelt emotion, he urged people to support those affected, reminding them that Punjab has always stood up for others in need. He further said that now it was time to stand by Punjab where countless families and farms are struggling to recover.
For Harbhajan Singh, the message was clear — while cricket unites and entertains, it cannot stand apart from the larger realities of life and relationships, both between nations and within communities.
