NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh went down memory lane and talked about the infamous Sydney Test in 2008 between India and Australia. The match was marred by controversies especially regarding umpiring decisions.
Indian players including Harbhajan were involved in a race-related altercation with Australian players, leading to a heated dispute. Harbhajan was accused of making racist remarks towards Andrew Symonds, but the case was later overturned on appeal.
Harbhajan, while commentating for Star Sports, recalled some moments from that match and launched a scathing criticism of Steve Bucknor. The Indian offspinner remarked that the former international umpire “made his debut for Australia” during that series.

“There were a lot of edges but Bucknor saab didn’t give anything out. There were edges, there were appeals, and at one point Ricky Ponting caught one and gave it out himself,” Harbhajan said in a video shared by Star Sports on X handle.
“In that series, Bucknor made his debut for Australia. He played so well in that match for them (…) The only thing he was interested in was being the 12th man,” Harbhajan hilariously said.
Harbhajan recently shared details about his conversation with Australian legend Ricky Ponting ahead of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Harbhajan disclosed that his conversation with Ponting focused on the Punjab Kings. Ponting was appointed as PBKS head coach after parting ways with Delhi Capitals.
“Aaj baat yeh hui ki Punjab ki team kaise banayi hai, maine toh yeh pucha. Purani cheezo ke upar toh baat hui nahi. (today, I asked him that how the PBKS team is made. We did not speak about the old days). He (Ponting) said, ‘mate, you’re looking fitter than ever.’ So, I told him that I am trying to stay fit and step out on the ground again, even though if it is with the mic,” Harbhajan told the official broadcasters.