Legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee was one of the most terrifying bowlers during his playing career. Lee had the pace and the skills to trouble the best players in the world. At his peak, he was a huge asset for the great Australian team of the 2000 era.
But it is hard to believe that Lee was also annoyed by a batter. Brett Lee claimed that the former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh used to frustrate him so much that he hated bowling to him. Lee revealed this secret just days before the start of India’s Test series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Both Lee and Harbhajan were involved in many on-field tussles during their playing time. Both the players were aggressive in their approach which made this duel even more fascinating to watch.
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“He used to frustrate the sh** out of me” – Brett Lee on Harbhajan Singh
While speaking on a podcast of LiSTNR Sport, Brett Lee revealed that Harbhajan Singh used to annoy him so much that he hated bowling to him. Lee claimed that Harbhajan would keep sledging continuously which made him frustrated at times.
“Harbhajan Singh. I hated bowling to him because he used to annoy the hell out of me, and I’ve told him this. He is an absolute legend of a bloke; I hope he hears this because – and he knows – he used to frustrate the sh** out of me when I bowled to him,” Lee said
“He would sledge and he would hop in and going after me ‘You’re quick’. I could never get him; I was always exhausted,” he added.
Brett Lee speaks on Harbhajan Singh’s aggressive attitude
Lee further revealed that Harbhajan would not back away from giving it back if something was said to him. According to the former Australian quick, Harbhajan wanted to be known as an arrogant person as he liked that aggressive edge.
“When he came in to bat, it was at the wrong end of a spell. When I said ‘Mate, you’re a bloody ripping bloke. Why don’t you show me how good you are or now nice you are? He goes ‘because I like that edge. I want to come across as if I am arrogant, or a person who is chirping in. So he was giving it back to us what we gave to them. Lovely guy,” Lee stated.
Brett Lee hails Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni
Brett Lee also hailed Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni and how they carried India’s legacy forward with their respective attitudes. The former Australian quick claimed that Dravid and Laxman showed India the path with their magnificent partnership in Kolkata and it increased the confidence of the upcoming generations as well.
“It started in that game when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman batted the whole day. I was injured at home, watching it with my arm in a sling. It was them saying ‘We can match Australia. Not just match; we can beat them,'” Lee noted.
“And now with (Virat) Kohli, I love the way Kohli plays. He is such a good player… with that aggression. And you’ve got different guys like back in the day, MS Dhoni… didn’t say anything. Just did what he had to do and wouldn’t back down,” he added.
India and Australia will play a highly anticipated five-match Test series which will begin from November 22 in Perth. Australia have been unable to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014 and will be looking to regain the trophy this time.
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