By IANA
Melbourne : Mathew Hayden’s regret on the “obnoxious weed” remark against Harbhajan Singh seemed to have worked wonders towards improving their relationship. The Indian off-spinner finally said that he is ready to sit with the Australian opener to sort out their differences which cropped during the acrimonious series Down Under.
Harbhajan, Hayden and Symonds were the central figures of controversy during India’s Australia tour that ended earlier this month.
Relationship soured between Hayden and Harbhajan in the middle of the tour when the Australian in an interview to a radio station called the Indian off-spinner an “obnoxious little weed”.
However, Hayden was the first to call for a truce when he Sunday said he regretted his comments and would like to patch up with Harbhajan during his trip to India to play in the multi-million dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) starting April 18.
Just days after the burly opener’s call for peace, Harbhajan said that he is ready to work out things with Hayden.
“These things happen in the game, and I am happy if he wants to patch up,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying in The Daily Telegraph.
“I never had any problem off the field with him. He is more than welcome to come and talk it over. Cricket is bigger than everyone and I am no one in front of cricket.
“I always got on with the game and now if he wants to get on with the game, I am happy to talk to him. From my side, the issue is solved,” he added.
Harbhajan was also not averse to being friends with Andrew Symonds, who brought racial abuse charges against him during the controversial Sydney Test.
“I am more than happy to be friends with everyone. What happens on the field should be left on the field,” he said, adding: “If you say something, you should be able to take it. Otherwise, don’t say it. I will be happy to put the issue behind me.”