“I am a proud Indian, don't need anyone's certificate,” Harbhajan slams trolls over Afridi-Gambhir live TV controversy

Harbhajan was part of the show where Afridi claimed that no one in the Indian team likes Gambhir.

By Salman Anjum - 31 Aug, 2022

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has lashed out at the trolls, who accused him of laughing at Gautam Gambhir over a comment made by Shahid Afridi during a live TV show.

While building up for India versus Pakistan Asia Cup 2022 clash, Afridi was asked about his relationship with Indian cricketers and he replied that he shares a healthy rapport with them.

However, Afridi claimed that no one in the Indian team likes Gambhir.

"It's not like I have had a fight with any of the Indian players. Yes, sometimes there are some arguments with Gautam Gambhir on social media. And I think that Gautam is a sort of character which no one likes even in the Indian team," Afridi had said.

Gambhir and Afridi were involved in an infamous on-field altercation during an Indian versus Pakistan match in 2007. Since then, the relations between the two former cricketers have gone downhill only as they have clashed on social media as well over various issues.

This time, however, Afridi's remarks on Gambhir sparked a controversy, involving former India spinner Harbhajan Singh as well.

While Harbhajan was part of the Sports Tak Panel, Afridi was representing Pakistan's Samaa TV as the two TV channels were in conversation.

As soon as Afridi made that comment, the camera caught Harbhajan looking down and laughing. Consequently, fans attacked the former spinner on social media, questioning his loyalty towards India and his teammates.

After being trolled mercilessly, Harbhajan hit back at the social media users who are raising questions over his integrity.

"These people are here just to have fun on somebody else's expense. Their job is to needle in other people's lives. I don't need to give any clarification to anyone. What Gautam and I share and what our bond is, I don't need to say anything to anyone. Let them come up with assumptions. But at the same time, I would like to advice all these people. 'Please be humans, don't behave like animals'. Do you even know the context? Curd had fallen on my feet which is why I laughed. But you guys wouldn't know because you guys were only looking at my face. I stand with every Indian player and it doesn't matter to me what anyone says on social media. Gautam is my brother and my heart beats for India," Harbhajan told Sports Tak.

"I just want to say... don't ever test me if I'm Indian or not. I am a very proud Indian and I don't need anyone's certificate. I know what my conscious is. I am what I am because of India. So all those who think that I was laughing on Gautam, no. You have seen throughout my career that if anyone goes after my teammates, I go after them. My laughter was completely taken out of context and you guys are connecting it to what Afridi said. Gautam, Dhoni, Yuvi or anyone else is like my family. I don't need to prove it to anyone. If you want to troll me, it's up to you," he added.

Harbhajan Singh played 103 Tests, 236 ODIs and 28 T20Is for India, picking a total of 711 wickets.

By Salman Anjum - 31 Aug, 2022

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