Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh recalled an incident involving the late great Shane Warne, who died of a heart attack earlier this month. Considered to be one of the greatest cricketers to ever play, Warne inspired a generation of cricketers, including Harbhajan, who got the chance to play against his idol several times. Speaking to former Australian Brett Lee on his podcast, Harbhajan recalled his first interaction with the legendary spinner.
The incident took place during the third and final Test of Australia’s tour of India in Chennai in 2001.
Harbhajan said he had a fanboy moment staring at Warne, who misunderstood the former’s intentions.
“Let me tell you a story that I have mentioned especially in my book in preparation. I had met him briefly in the series when I took 32 wickets against Australia in 2001. In the third Test match in Chennai, he was hitting with Steve Waugh and stood at the end of the non-rush hour I just admired him as I stood on my run And as I just admired him and looked at him he saw me and asked ‘mate what’s what’s up “What’s wrong with you? What are you looking at?” He really thought I was trying to say or do something,” Harbhajan revealed.
Harbhajan, however, cleared up the misunderstanding by confronting Warne with his feelings of admiration and respect for the latter.
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“So I walked up to him and said ‘Look mate, I just admire my hero standing next to me and this was a dream to see you play live. And I’m playing with you so this is a great moment for me. Me just wanted that moment I was playing with Shane Warne he said ‘thanks mate’ and from then on we had that bond after he took those 32 wickets he came over to congratulate me later and I was just moving then he came and wished me, he said, ‘well done mate. You still have a long way to go,’ he added.
Warne, who died earlier this month at the age of 52, took 708 wickets in Test cricket. Only Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka has taken more wickets (800) than him in the game’s longest format.
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