Symonds, Harbhajan had moved ahead from Monkeygate: Pragyan Ojha

Harbhajan Singh chose not to respond to anybody seeking his reaction on 'good friend' Andrew Symonds' tragic death. "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Andrew Symonds. Gone too soon. Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. Prayers for the departed soul," tweeted the former India off-spinner.

"Yes, he's a good friend now," Harbhajan had replied with a smile when an anchor quizzed the retired India off-spinner about his "friendship" with Symonds recently. After what happened between him and the dynamic but volatile Symonds during the New Year's Test between India and Australia in 2008, when Symonds accused Harbhajan of racially abusing him, few would have believed that this was even possible.

Read AlsoMemorable Andrew Symonds moments: From explosive batting to 'monkeygate'

Andrew Symonds, who has died aged 46, was widely considered one of the most skilled all-rounders Australian cricket has seen, routinely thumping runs and taking wickets.

However, their acrimonious relationship underwent a complete catharsis in 2011, when the two star players ended up sharing the dressing room for the Mumbai Indians after Symonds was bought by MI for $850,000. One man who was witness to this rare camaraderie between once sworn on-field 'enemies' is former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who, like Symonds, played for the Deccan Chargers from 2008 to 2010, before moving to MI. "By the time I moved to MI with him in 2011, I knew 'Symmo' very well. So, we never spoke about it (Monkeygate). We had gone past it, but his friendship with 'Bhajjupa' at MI was very surprising, because a lot had happened till then! It was a big episode in Indian cricket. Every evening, both of them would be having alphonso mangoes together. I