Mohali, Oct. 2: Seeking to clear air over the altercation paceman Zaheer Khan had with Ricky Ponting, India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday said the whole issue was a misunderstanding on part of the Australian captain.
Harbhajan said Zaheer’s remarks were not directed at Ponting as the paceman was just talking about the rival skipper with teammate VVS Laxman.
“I was not there when the incident happened. But a teammate told me that Zaheer was telling Laxman that ‘you are Usain Bolt’ and maybe Ponting thought it was directed at him, so he came back asking what did he exactly say,” Harbhajan told official broadcasters before the start of the second day’s play in Mohali on Saturday.
Ponting had heated exchange with Zaheer after being run out on the opening day of the first Test here.
Ponting was walking back towards the pavilion when he turned back after hearing some comments from Zaheer. With the Indian players standing in a pack, Ponting walked back towards them pointing the bat at them when umpire Billy Bowden intervened and sent the Aussie skipper back to the pavilion.