After announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket in December last year, Harbhajan Singh has been very vocal in his criticism against BCCI.  

Harbhajan represented India in 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20Is. While the off-spinner claimed 417 wickets in red-ball cricket, he picked up 269 wickets and 25 scalps in ODIs and T20Is respectively.

A consistent member of the side for nearly two decades, Harbhajan became an irregular member of the team post the 2011 World Cup, playing only 10 ODIs and 10 Tests. His last appearance for the country was against UAE in an Asia Cup 2016 match against UAE at Dhaka.

In the Indian Premier League, Harbhajan turned up for Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He also led MI to title victory in the now-defunct Champions League in 2011, but that triumph hasn’t been talked about much.

In an exclusive interview with CricketNext, Harbhajan was recently asked if captaining India was one thing he missed out on. To which, the Turbanator replied that he couldn’t get an opportunity to lead the country as he didn’t know anyone at the BCCI.

“Oh yes! That is also an achievement that no one talks about — my captaincy. I didn’t know anyone in the BCCI; someone who could push my case because it is required (for national captaincy). If you are not among the favourites of someone (powerful), you don’t get such honours.

“But, let’s leave that topic. I know I was capable enough (to lead) as we used to guide a lot of captains. No big deal if I was an India captain or not. No regrets either if I didn’t become the captain for my country. I was always happy to serve the nation as a player,” Harbhajan said.

During his playing days, Harbhajan may have indulged in controversies with the Australian players but he named Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden among players who have respected him the most.

“Ponting, (Matthew) Hayden are big players and when they say something about your game, it does feel nice. They won’t praise you for doing nothing. I must have done something special as a player. The Aussies used to be the boss team of our generation and it was always great to challenge and test yourself against the best,” he added.