When Harbhajan Singh’s fiery send-off started a well-known rivalry with Ricky Ponting | Cricket Information – Instances of India

It was the 1998 Coca-Cola Cup tri-series in Sharjah. Harbhajan Singh — a lean, thin-framed spinner — was taking part in his fourth ODI for India after having made his debut earlier within the event. The off-spinner, buoyed by his three-wickets within the earlier match in opposition to Australia, was all fired up when Ricky Ponting arrived on the crease.
What occurred subsequent began one of the crucial well-known face-offs within the India-Australia cricket rivalry, which noticed batting legend Ricky Ponting changing into Harbhajan’s bunny within the years to come back.
Batting first, Australia’s No. three Ponting arrived early on the crease as opener Adam Gilchrist was dismissed within the fourth over. Ponting took an aggressive strategy whereas batting alongside Mark Waugh, which included hitting Harbhajan for a few boundaries.

However Harbhajan, who later in his profession grew to become well-known because the ‘turbanator’, got here out the winner in his battle with the Australian.
In the identical over that Ponting hit Harbhajan for boundaries and raced to 31 off 25 balls, the younger off-spinner had him stumped by wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia off the subsequent supply after which gave the Australian a fiery send-off.
However Ponting was to not be left behind as he barged his shoulder into Harbhajan whereas giving the Indian a mouthful.

So far as the match is worried, the Australian went on to attain 284 for 7, because of an unbeaten century by Michael Bevan (101*) and Mark Waugh’s 81.
However regardless of Sachin Tendulkar’s good 143 off 131 balls, an innings that grew to become well-known by the title ‘desert storm’, India might solely rating 250 for five in a weather-shortened sport, which revised the second innings to 46 overs and India’s goal to 277.
Australia gained by 26 runs.