Brett Lee Reveals Why He 'Hated' Bowling to Harbhajan Singh, Recalls Memorable Rivalry

Brett Lee has opened up about his intense rivalry with India’s legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, recalling how the Indian cricketer’s constant sledging and psychological warfare made him one of the most frustrating batters for Lee to bowl to. Despite being one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, Lee found himself constantly battling with Harbhajan’s verbal jabs during India-Australia encounters, leading to moments of pure frustration.

Lee shared his thoughts on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, admitting that while he respected Harbhajan as a player, he could not stand the non-stop chatter that came with facing him. “I hated bowling to him because he used to annoy the hell out of me,” Lee revealed. “He would sledge, hop in, and go after me, saying 'You're quick.' I could never get him, I was always exhausted,” Lee recalled, explaining how Harbhajan’s relentless banter got under his skin.

One memorable exchange occurred when Harbhajan, who had a reputation for psychological warfare on the field, responded to Lee's frustration by turning the tables. Lee remembered telling Harbhajan, “Mate, you're a bloody ripping bloke. Why don't you show me how good you are or how nice you are?” to which Harbhajan quipped, “I like that edge. I want to come across as if I am arrogant or a person who is chirping in." Lee admitted that Harbhajan had learned to use the same aggressive tactics that the Australians were known for, making it clear that the Indian team, under Sourav Ganguly, had begun to take a more combative and assertive approach in their battles with Australia.

Lee also traced this change in attitude to the iconic 2001 series when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman put on a historic partnership, defying Australia after enforcing the follow-on in Kolkata. Lee, who was recovering from injury at the time, watched the match and saw it as a turning point in Indian cricket. According to Lee, that moment marked the beginning of a new era where Indian players no longer backed down from the Australians. This change was further embodied by MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who embraced a more aggressive and self-assured style of play.

Lee added, “It all started in that game when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman batted the whole day. It was them saying 'We can match Australia. Not just match; we can beat them.' And now with Kohli, I love the way Kohli plays. He is such a good player with that aggression.” Lee also praised MS Dhoni for his silent, no-nonsense approach to leadership, stating that the former captain was someone who would simply do his job and never back down.

Harbhajan's tactics clearly left a lasting impression on Lee, and despite the frustration he caused, Lee respects him as a competitor. It’s a reminder of the fierce rivalries that defined the India-Australia cricketing battles, with players like Harbhajan Singh helping India stand up to the Australian dominance on the field.