Harbhajan Singh on Saturday in a series of tweet said that as he is not eligible for Khel Ratna, he had requested the Punjab government to withdraw his nomination.

This comes amid speculation as to why the Punjab government withdrew his name from the Khel Ratna award shortlist.

"I have been flooded with calls as to why the Punjab government withdrew my name from the Khel Ratna nominations. The truth is I am not eligible for Khel Ratna," Singh tweeted on Saturday.

1.Dear friends
I have been flooded with calls as to why Punjab Govt withdrew my name from Khel Ratna nominations. The truth is I am not eligible for Khel Ratna which primarily considers the international performances in last three years.

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 18, 2020

He said that the award primarily considers the international performances in last three years and Singh said he had played last for India in 2016.

"Lot of confusion and speculation regarding my nomination for Khel Ratna so let me clarify. Yes, last year the nomination was sent late but this year I only asked Punjab government to withdraw my nomination because I don’t fall under the three-year eligibility criteria. Don’t speculate further," the 40-year-old off-spinner further said.

Lot of confusion & speculation regarding my nomination for Khel Ratna so let me clarify. Yes last year the nomination was sent late but this year I only asked Punjab Govt to withdraw my nomination because I don’t fall under the 3-year eligibility criteria. Don’t speculate further

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 18, 2020

"The Punjab government is not at fault here as they have rightly withdrawn my name," he added.

"Would urge my friends in media not to speculate. Thank you and regards," the tweet further added.

2.The Punjab Govt is not at fault here as they have rightly withdrawn my name. Would urge my friends in media not to speculate. Thank you and regards ??

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 18, 2020

Harbhajan Singh is a veteran of 103 Tests and 236 ODIs and he has claimed 417 and 269 wickets respectively playing for India.

Singh became the first Indian to claim a Test hat-trick for India in 2001 in the famous Eden Garden Test match against Australia, which India went on to win despite being asked to follow-on.

Singh, on several occasions, proved quite handy with the bat lower down the order coring some vital runs for the team.

He was also involved in the infamous 'Monkey-Gate Scandal' in the Sydney Test in Australia in 2008.

Harbhajan Singh was also banned for a few Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for slapping S Sreesanth after an IPL match.

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