Indian off-spinner and currently the Test format's best bowler by ranking, Ravichandran Ashwin hailed another Indian off-spinning legend Harbhajan Singh and in the process, called for an end to, what he termed, "unhealthy" banter.
@harbhajan_singh has been an inspiration nd I started bowling off spin only after seeing the 2001 series.This banter going on is unhealthy
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 17, 2016
Singh also responded to Ashwin's tweet with equanimity:
Dear got nothing against you. For some reasons my words are misconstrued. Wish you nothing but the best ✌️ Keep the flag high! God bless 😇 https://t.co/flIqJYDT4y
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 17, 2016
The "banter" which Ashwin had referred to in his tweet probably referred to the reaction following Singh's tweets on October 9 and 10 after New Zealand had been bowled out for 299 in the third Test at Indore with Ashwin picking up 6/81. Singh's tweet was widely construed as indicating that Ashwin's rich wicket haul was a result of the helpful turning surfaces he had received.
Only 2 in my 103 tests.. Kumble and my test wicket count would have been something else if we got wickets like last 4 years we playing on👊 https://t.co/fvkdVw1I1v
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 9, 2016
Sabr kar 3 and half day Mai bada waqt hai abhi.pitch already spinning a lot #tailormadeconditionsforspinners don't think NZ can bat for long https://t.co/445hfffjph
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 9, 2016
This followed an earlier tweet on October 8 on the first day of the Test.
Already looks like 2 days old pitch before the 1st bowl is bowled..my predictions match won't go more then 3 and half days.. https://t.co/obn4qVRnP6
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 8, 2016
Former Indian spinner Maninder Singh had called on Singh to be more "humble" while Indian Test captain Virat Kohli had defended his bowlers by pointing out that the spinners still needed to bowl well, even if it was a turning pitch.