Name Hindi: हरभजन सिंह / Gender Man
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh Plaha, recognized universally as Harbhajan or simply Bhajji or Bhaju, is an outstanding former Indian international cricketer and one of the finest off spin bowlers in the history of cricket. Born on 3 July 1980 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, his orthodox bowling style has also been a subject of constant discussion among fans and critics.
Career Overview
Affectionately referred to as ‘The Turbanator’, Harbhajan made his Test debut for India against Australia in March 1998 at Bangalore. He debuted in One Day Internationals (ODIs) a year later in April 1999 against New Zealand at Sharjah. He played his first Twenty20 International (T20I) match vs South Africa during the inaugural ICC World T20 in September 2007.
- International Career: At just 18 years old, Harbhajan was called into the national team due to injuries to starting bowlers. In his career spanning over two decades, he parted with a staggering tally of 711 wickets from 367 matches across all formats holding second place amongst Indians, just after Anil Kumble.
- IPL Career: His exploits earned him a meaty IPL contract with Mumbai Indians. With them he achieved three IPL titles (2011, 2013 & 2015). From MI he moved to Chennai Super Kings where they won another IPL title (2018). Later on he also played for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Remarkable Achievements and Records
Beyond being known for his prowess with spinning balls, Harbhajan Singh holds numerous records in the world of cricket such as:
- Fastest Indian to reach 300 Test wickets: Harbhajan reached this landmark in less than 12 years.
- First Indian to claim a hat-trick in Test matches: Achieved against Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, during Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2000-01).
- Eighth highest wicket-taker for India: He has taken over 400 wickets in Tests making him one of the top bowlers for his country.
Post Cricket Career
Beyond his illustrious cricket career, Harbhajan showcased his penchant for media and entertainment. He made appearances on popular television shows including being a participant on ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and also started a movie career mainly within Punjabi cinema.
The Legacy of Harbhajan Singh
In conclusion, whether considering his brilliance with spinning balls or his leadership quality combined with aggressive spirit, there are few cricketers who can match up to the legacy created by Singh. His journey from an aspiring player in Punjab through to climbing the ranks and becoming one of India’s finest players is truly admirable.
