Cricket fans across the country witnessed a beautiful moment on Twitter on Friday (September 8) when two of India’s greatest bowlers Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh praised each other.
Kumble and Harbhajan were two of the chief architects in making India a force to reckon with in the longest format of the game in the last decade. They played 54 Tests together and shared a staggering 501 wickets between them with Kumble taking 281 of them while Harbhajan accounts for the remaining 220. Together they arguably formed India’s most potent bowling attack and played a huge role in the team’s outstanding performances after the turn of the millennium.
Harbhajan has always made his appreciation of Kumble vocal, admitting the role of the senior spinner in his growth. Interestingly, Harbhajan’s career went downhill after Kumble’s retirement. And so when the duo recently met, the fans witnessed mutual respect from them for each other.
Harbhajan took to Twitter to not only post a photo of the memorable meeting but also gave Kumble the compliment of the highest degree.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet The great man @anilkumble1074 india s biggest match winner ever.. A perfect role model ??,” Harbhajan tweeted.
It's always a pleasure to meet The great man @anilkumble1074 india s biggest match winner ever.. A perfect role model ?? pic.twitter.com/IODubOBF7o
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 8, 2017
Kumble soon returned the favour by tweeting: “Always a pleasure to meet my partner in many challenges. Winning wouldn’t have been possible without you at the other end buddy?!#teameffort,” Kumble replied.
Always a pleasure to meet my partner in many challenges. Winning wouldn't have been possible without you at the other end buddy?!#teameffort https://t.co/JevnN6eHBP
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) September 8, 2017
Kumble retired from Tests with a staggering 619 wickets and is still the leading Test wicket-taker for India while with 417 wickets to his name, Harbhajan is third on the list. Both the spinners also made a significant impact in the 50-over format. Kumble is the leading wicket-taker for the Men in Blue with 337 wickets in ODIs while Harbhajan is fifth with 269 scalps to his name.