Harbhajan got rid of Ponting on 13 occasions in international cricket.
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However, there was one bowler who often got the better of Ponting. India’s Harbhajan Singh had an upper hand over the Aussie whenever the two faced, dismissing him 13 times in international cricket.
During an Instagram Live session with Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan on Friday (April 24) said he had dismissed Ponting even while bowling in the nets when the two played together for IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.
“I think Ricky Ponting used to get out just by looking at my face. I didn’t even need to bowl at him. When he came to play for Mumbai Indians, I thought he would improve after playing me in the nets. But even there I got him out 5-6 times,” the Turbanator quoted.
“I think you dented his confidence even before the series started bhajju paa.. Now I know why he couldn’t score runs that season,” Rohit then jokingly said to Harbhajan.
Ponting, regarded as the best Australian batsman of his generation, amassed 13378 runs in 168 Tests with 41 centuries and 62 fifties. Although he has a Test batting average of 51.85, it drops to 26.48 when his record in India is considered. In 25 innings, he scored 662 runs and has just one century to show for.
The famed rivalry between Harbhajan and Ponting saw the off-spinner dismissing the Australian on 10 occasions in 14 Tests they played against each other.
(Inputs from Hindustan Times)