Legendary Wasim Akram, Rahul Dravid and Javagal Srinath had to intervene to separate the two young cricketers.

Perhaps it was the pressure of the high-voltage India v. Pakistan rivalry that saw Harbhajan Singh and Mohammed Yousuf ready to tear into each other with forks in their hands. It was during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Today, the Indian off-spinner today laughs about the incident, which happened 16 years back at Centurion, but admits that it got so ugly at the time that it forced an intervention by legendary Wasim Akram, Rahul Dravid and Javagal Srinath.

The match will forever be remembered for Sachin Tendulkar’s epic 98 but, off the field, there were also two other angry protagonists in action.

Since Pakistan made 270-plus, which was considered a good score at the time, there was a bit of pressure on India before the chase started.

So, what happened exactly?

“It started with a joke but then got ugly. I was dropped for that game and Anil-bhai [Kumble] was playing because team management felt he was a better choice keeping in mind his good record against Pakistan. I was a bit down and it can happen when you aren’t in the XI,” Harbhajan told PTI during a chat.

“During lunchtime, I was sitting at one table and Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar were at the other table right across in the common area.

“We both speak Punjabi and suddenly while we were pulling each other’s legs he first made a personal comment and then remarked about my religion,” said Harbhajan.

“I gave him a fitting reply. Before anyone realised we both had a fork in our hands and got up from our chairs ready to attack each other,” he laughed.

But things weren’t as humorous when it happened.

“Rahul [Dravid] and Sri [Javagal Srinath] stopped me while Wasim bhai and Saeed-bhai [Anwar] took Yousuf away. The seniors on both sides were irritated and we were told that this is not the right behaviour.”

“It’s 16 years now. Now when I meet Yousuf, we both have a good laugh about it.”

Harbhajan, one of the finest spinners the country has seen, further said that pressure was immense during the 2011 World Cup semifinal.

He had played a big role in Mohali, achieving crucial breakthroughs.

“That match was different. People thought now is the time Law of Averages will catch up. Mohali is my homeground and everyone wanted us to just win — fans, the media; the hype was insane,” he recalled.

Indian cricketers have always shared a cordial relationship with their Pakistani counterparts as Shahid Afridi has mentioned in his book.

Harbhajan said that while there are friendships off the field, it is the rivalry which drives the players from both the sides on the field.

“I have good friendship with Shahid and Shoaib [Akhtar]. We have hung out together, had meals. We spoke the same language, our preference of food, music — a lot of things are common.

“But yes, once you cross that boundary rope, friendship does take a back seat,” he signed off.