Ponting's volley of abuse | Harbhajan shouting in Ponting face | The starting point of the rivalry

It had all started back in 1998 during a day/nighter in Sharjah when a 17-year-old Harbhajan, playing in just his fourth ODI, had Ponting stumped and celebrated by marching down the wicket towards him, shouting in his face and giving him some very specific directions back to the pavilion. It took everyone by surprise, not least Indian stumper Nayan Mongia who rushed in to hold Harbhajan back, but the damage had been done. Ponting responded with a volley of abuse of his own and a shoulder barge before stomping back to the dressing room, vowing that he would one day have revenge upon this spindly stripling.

Harbhajan Singh versus Ricky Ponting was undoubtedly one of the most enthralling dues of the first decade of this century. During their illustrious international careers, the two faced each other a total of 47 times – 14 times in Test matches and 33 times in 50-over matches.

In Tests, Harbhajan Singh dismissed the Aussie on 10 occasions while in ODIs, he got the better of Ponting on only there occasions. No bowler dismissed Ponting more in international cricket than the legendary Indian spinner.

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