In a recent revelation, former Indian cricketer
Frustration Over Dietary Standards
Harbhajan Singh shared that the NCA had established a specific diet chart for its trainees, but the meals served failed to meet those standards. Despite his repeated complaints regarding the quality of food, no changes were made, leading to his growing dissatisfaction. The former spinner described how his frustration culminated in a dramatic act of tearing up the diet chart, an action that ultimately resulted in his expulsion from the academy.
Reflecting on the incident, Harbhajan stated, "They removed me from there. It was not my mistake, I say this openly even today. It was our right. The food was not good there." He emphasized that the NCA had a responsibility to provide proper nutrition as outlined by the diet chart, which was based on expert recommendations. "Despite numerous complaints, the food did not improve. So one day I tore that chart. This was my only mistake, that I tore the chart," he added.
Standing Up for Rights
Harbhajan believes that his decision to voice his concerns was crucial, as it highlighted the need for change within the academy. "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," he remarked. He suggested that his removal was influenced by individuals within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who were resistant to challenges against the status quo.
Despite the setback at the NCA, Harbhajan Singh went on to achieve remarkable success in international cricket. Over his career, which spanned from 1998 to 2016, he became one of India's leading spinners, amassing over 700 wickets across all formats. His impressive statistics include 417 wickets in 103 Test matches, 269 wickets in 236 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 25 wickets in 28 T20 Internationals.
