Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has spoken openly about his removal from the National Cricket Academy after more than two decades, insisting the decision was never his fault. The off-spinner was part of the first batch of trainees at the academy in Bengaluru in 2000. A detailed diet chart prepared by experts was displayed for the players, yet the food actually served did not match what was prescribed. He and others raised the issue repeatedly but nothing changed. Frustration eventually led him to tear down the chart and after that authorities cited it as the reason for his removal. He has opened up about this issue while speaking to CricketNext.

“I was removed from NCA, and it wasn’t my mistake. I say this openly even now. The food wasn’t good there and back in the day. The rules were such that the cricketers were taught a lot. A chart was put up for the diet, but we weren’t getting what was mentioned on the chart. Despite repeated complaints, the quality of food didn’t improve, so one day I tore up that chart, and that was my only mistake,” the former India off-spinner said.

Harbhajan Singh says his BCCI protest was about players rights

Looking back at the incident, Harbhajan said he believed his decision to speak up was necessary because the problems with the diet plan would not have been addressed otherwise. “But maybe till someone does something like this, things don’t change. I was fighting for the rights. If I had not stood up, even today the same diet plan would have been followed. The plan changed, I was also removed, that is a different thing, but it was not my fault. There were some people in the BCCI who did not want someone who could stand up and question them,” he added.

The episode came at a difficult time in his early career but despite that Harbhajan went on to become one of India’s most successful spinners. He represented India from 1998 to 2016 and finished his international career with more than 700 wickets across formats. He played 103 Tests and took 417 wickets, including 25 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket match hauls. In 236 ODIs, Harbhajan picked up 269 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls. He also played 28 T20Is and took 25 wickets. He is currently working as a commentator for Star Sports.