Harbhajan Singh, India's former top spinner, was expelled from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru in 2000.
Harbhajan Singh's shocking expulsion from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in 2000 is a story he has only recently shared publicly. The reason behind his removal, he says, was his decision to tear up a diet chart after repeatedly complaining about the food served at the academy.
The NCA had a fixed diet plan for its trainees, but the food did not match the prescribed diet, Harbhajan said. He claimed that despite his repeated complaints, the food did not improve, leading him to tear the chart in frustration.
"It was not my mistake, I say this openly even today. It was our right," Harbhajan said in an interview. "The food was not good there."
The rules and regulations at the NCA were such that trainees were told and taught a lot, and a chart was put up for the diet, Harbhajan explained. But the food served did not match the diet chart, leading to his decision to speak up.
Harbhajan said he believed his decision to speak up was necessary because the problems with the diet plan would not have been addressed otherwise. "Maybe till someone does something like this, things don't change," he said. "I was fighting for the rights."
Despite his removal, Harbhajan went on to become one of India's most successful spinners, representing India from 1998 to 2016 and finishing his international career with more than 700 wickets across formats.
Harbhajan's career was marked by numerous achievements, including 417 wickets in 103 Tests and 269 wickets in 236 ODIs. His success on the field has been well-documented, but his experience at the NCA has only recently come to light.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by young cricketers in their early days of training. While the NCA has undergone changes since Harbhajan's time, the issue of poor food quality remains a concern for many players.
Harbhajan's story serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking up against injustices, even in the face of adversity.
Source: Yahoo Sports