Harbhajan Singh has reacted angrily to the comments by Adam Gilchrist in his autobiography that he and Sourav Ganguly missed the 2004 Nagpur Test against Australia because of their reluctance to play on a grassy pitch. "It's time somebody asked him to shut up," Harbhajan told the Kolkata-based Telegraph. "I suppose Gilchrist needs to get his head examined."

In his book True Colours Gilchrist questioned Harbhajan and Ganguly's decision to skip the Test that gave the visitors their first series win in the country in 35 years. Ganguly, India's captain during the 2004 series, pulled out on the morning of the Test complaining of pain in the groin, while Harbhajan missed the game after contracting flu.

Gilchrist wrote Harbhajan was out of the Test "with a 'flu', which he seemed to have contracted when he saw the grassy wicket". "...I still don't know to this day what was wrong with Ganguly and Harbhajan."

He also slammed Harbhajan for his role in the Sydney Test for which he was charged on grounds of racial abuse against Andrew Symonds. Harbhajan was handed a three-match ban which was overturned on appeal.

Harbhajan said Gilchrist should not be using fellow cricketers to sell his book. "I'm sure there are other ways to do that." Gilchrist also questioned the evidence given by Sachin Tendulkar in the racism case against Harbhajan, labeling it a "joke". Harbhajan had criticised him for his remarks on Tendulkar and said Gilchrist was himself not respected because of his on-field behaviour.


all courtesy : cricinfo

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