Andrew Symonds opens up on ‘Monkeygate’ saga that nearly destroyed him

The infamous “Monkeygate” affair threatens to rear its head again after former Indian star Harbhajan Singh rubbish Aussie Andrew Symonds’ version of the incident.

Andrew Symonds says his life spiralled out of control after the “Monkeygate” incident”.

The infamous “Monkeygate” affair threatens to rear its head again after former Indian star Harbhajan Singh rubbished Aussie Andrew Symonds’ version of events.

Symonds revealed how the controversial saga pushed him to the brink of self-destruction.

A decade on from one of the ugliest incidents in the history of Test cricket, Symonds has given an incredible insight into how his life spiralled out of control on a Fox Cricket special, Monkey Gate — 10 Years On.

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Symonds tells the story of how two years later Singh broke down as he apologised to him in person for allegedly calling him a “monkey” — with the pair sharing a hug.

But Harbhajan has rejected those claims, taking to social media to hit back at Symonds.

“When did that happen? What for?” Harbhajan wrote on Twitter after reading of Symonds’ recollection of events.

The Indian spinner later took aim again, telling Symonds to grow up.

“I thought he was a very good cricketer but Symonds has turned out to be a good fiction writer — he sold a story then (2008) and he is ‘selling a story’ now (2018). Mate, the world has come of age in these 10 years and it’s time you also grew up.”

WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN ??? BROKE DOWN ???? WHAT FOR ??? Harbhajan broke down when apologising for 'monkeygate' - Symondshttps://t.co/eQFeETVChy

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 16, 2018

I thought he was a very good cricketer but Symonds has turned out to be a good fiction writer - he sold a story then (2008) and he is ‘selling a story’ now (2018). Mate, the world has come of age in these 10 years and it’s time you also grew up

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 16, 2018

Symonds opened up about how the stress and heartache of the episode caused him to develop a drinking problem that prematurely ended his career.

The unique documentary will air on Fox Cricket tonight after play at approximately 9.50pm AEDT, or in the event of a rain delay.

Before that extraordinary reconciliation in the front yard of a Mumbai mansion, Symonds said he had already hit rock bottom.

Andrew Symonds was allegedly called a “monkey” by Harbhajan Singh at the SCG in 2008.

“I went downhill pretty fast after this because I felt responsible for four of my close mates that I dragged into this whole situation,” Symonds recounts.

“It bared very heavily on me. I started drinking way too much, and I just started — my cricket, my mindset, everything — just started to go downhill.

“I wasn’t in the right frame of mind.”

It’s clear that not even close mates Gilchrist or Lee were fully aware of the impact the protracted ordeal had on Symonds’ life.

In August of the same year Symonds was sent home from a one-day international camp in Darwin for missing a team meeting after opting to go fishing instead and soon his glittering career for Australia faded out.

Symonds says his only regret out of the explosive incident was that the accusations against Harbhajan, which brought Australian cricket to the brink of a war with the all-powerful Indian Cricket Board, dragged friends Gilchrist, Matt Hayden, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting into the mire.

“(Until) what transpired from this particular thing, I didn’t realise how powerful one player, one incident (could be). How much money was at stake and the ramifications,” he said.

Symonds posing for a photo with Chris Lynn before a Twenty20 international last month. Picture: AAP

However, Symonds reveals how after all the animosity, the regrettable moment in history ultimately brought he and Harbhajan closer together in what the special shows has been an emotional journey.

“When I first arrived in Mumbai (to play in the same IPL team as Harbhajan), there was a deafening silence when I first walked into the dressing room,” he said.

“I was trying to alleviate that tension desperately for the sake of the side.

“We go to a very wealthy man’s place for a BBQ and drinks one night … and he said, ‘mate, can I speak to you for a moment in the garden out the front?’

“He goes, ‘look, I’ve got to say sorry to you for what I did to you in Sydney. I want to apologise. I hope I didn’t cause you, your family and friends too much harm and I really apologise for what I said. I shouldn’t have said it’.

“And he actually broke down crying. I could see that was just a huge weight off his shoulders that he just had to get rid of.

“We shook hands and I gave him a hug and said, ‘mate, it’s all good. It’s dealt with. It wasn’t my fault or your fault. It was the way it was all handled. It was just handled poorly and it’s not your fault.’

“And you could tell it was a weight off his shoulders.

“Haydos said, ‘mate, you’re two very similar animals’.”

Originally published as Andrew Symonds opens up on ‘Monkeygate’ saga that nearly destroyed him