'Do you think I'm jealous of you?' - Harbhajan Singh asks R Ashwin, opens up on rivalry rumours (Source: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)

Ravichandran Ashwin has addressed the long-standing chatter surrounding his relationship with Harbhajan Singh, emphasising that jealousy stems from people’s own mindset and perspective. There were recurring claims on social media suggesting that Harbhajan has been jealous of Ashwin’s success in Indian cricket.

India has produced two of the greatest off-spinners in modern cricket, and while Harbhajan and Ashwin represented the national side in largely different eras, negative speculation about their relationship has persisted. Ashwin, who retired as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, shared a conversation with Harbhajan recently, effectively putting an end to the perceived tension between the two.

"This whole jealousy bit, before I allow you to answer that, let me clarify something. People look at everything from their perspective. For example, if they are passing a comment on me, they believe that others would see the world through their eyes," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel in a 'Kutti Stories' teaser.

"Their comments that you (Harbhajan) are jealous of this person who is interviewing you today (Ashwin), what would that be about, Bhajji pa?" he asked.

Ashwin implied that while some may assume their views are universally accepted, that is rarely the case in reality. In response to a question raised by Harbhajan, Ashwin remarked that even if feelings of jealousy had ever existed between them, such emotions could be seen as natural within the competitive world of international cricket. He further illustrated this by referencing a common belief among some fans, that his own retirement coincided with Washington Sundar’s rise in the team hierarchy.

"Do you think I am jealous of you? You are sitting with me today, and we have spoken at length. Do you think I am that kind of person?" asked Harbhajan.

"Even if you were jealous at one point in time, I think it's justified. That is my point, and I will never take it wrong because we are all human. Naturally, it is bound to be like that. Some people believe I retired because Washington Sundar is in the thick of things. All of this is the perspective of others," Ashwin added.