Happy Birthday Harbhajan Singh: A look at his achievements
Veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh turned 39 years old on Wednesday. The former Indian legend has been an inspiration for many budding spinners. Harbhajan continues to ply his trade at the domestic level and has defied age. He won several accolades for India and represented the team across formats. Here we look at the achievements of the World Cup winner.
Harbhajan dominated Test and ODI cricket
Harbhajan made his Test and ODI debut for India in 1998 as a teenager. The off-spinner quickly asserted himself at the biggest level. Despite a career full of ups and downs, Harbhajan ended up with 417 Test wickets in 103 Tests. He is still the third highest wicket-taker for India and the 13th highest in world cricket. In ODIs, he picked up 269 wickets.
Harbhajan showed his influence in IPL as well
Harbhajan has enjoyed a celebrated career in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He won three titles with Mumbai Indians in 2013, 2015 and 2017. The veteran spinner then won the IPL 2018 trophy with Chennai Super Kings. In 2019, he ended up on the losing side in the final against MI. He has 150 IPL wickets and is the joint-third highest wicket-taker.
Bhajji part of India's WT20 and World Cup trophy wins
He also represented India in 25 T20Is and ended up with 28 wickets. Bhajji's best moment came in 2007, when India lifted the World T20 trophy. Harbhajan took seven scalps and inspired India throughout the tourney. In 2011, he helped India win the ICC ODI World Cup. He picked up nine wickets at an economy-rate of 4.48.
2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw Harbhajan stake a claim
The 2001 Border-Gavaskar Test series, against Australia, brought Harbhajan plenty of laurels. In that series, the off-spinner claimed 32 wickets and became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. He was adjudged the Man of the Series for his brilliant show that helped India win the series. He formed a lethal partnership with Anil Kumble from there on.
Harbhajan was controversy's favorite child
Harbhajan was banned for three Tests and charged with 50% of his match fees for racially abusing Andrew Symonds during India's tour of Australia. However, Sachin Tendulkar's testimony saw Judge Hansen overturning this ban. In IPL 2008, Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth post the match between MI and Kings XI Punjab. He was suspended for the remainder of the season, besides being banned for five ODIs.
