The 1998 Coca-Cola Cup tri-series in Sharjah witnessed the birth of one of the most iconic rivalries in cricket history: Harbhajan Singh vs. Ricky Ponting.
Harbhajan, a young and promising off-spinner, had just made his ODI debut for India. In his fourth match, he faced the formidable Australian batsman Ponting, who was known for his aggressive batting style.
Ponting, batting at No. 3, started off strongly, hitting Harbhajan for boundaries. However, Harbhajan had the last laugh. In the same over, he had Ponting stumped by wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia. The dismissal was followed by a fiery send-off from Harbhajan, igniting a rivalry that would last for years to come.
Ponting, not one to back down, retaliated by barging into Harbhajan and exchanging words. The incident set the tone for their future encounters, which were often marked by intense competition and verbal exchanges.
The match itself was a high-scoring affair, with Australia posting 284 for 7 thanks to centuries from Michael Bevan and Mark Waugh. India, despite a brilliant 143 from Sachin Tendulkar, could only manage 250 for 5 in a weather-shortened game. Australia won by 26 runs.
The Harbhajan-Ponting rivalry became a defining feature of the India-Australia cricket rivalry. Harbhajan, with his guile and accuracy, often had the upper hand over Ponting, who was known for his attacking batting. Their battles on the field were always intense and often spilled over into verbal exchanges.
The rivalry reached its peak during the 2008 Sydney Test, where Harbhajan was accused of racially abusing Ponting. The incident led to a diplomatic row between India and Australia and cast a shadow over the relationship between the two cricketing nations.
Despite the controversies, the Harbhajan-Ponting rivalry remains one of the most memorable in cricket history. It was a clash of two contrasting styles and personalities, and it produced some of the most memorable moments in the sport.
