Harbhajan singh

"There comes a time in your life when you must take some tough decisions and move ahead. I have been meaning to make this announcement for the last few years, but I was waiting for the right moment to share it with all of you: today, I am retiring from all formats of cricket," he said. "In many ways, I had already retired as a cricketer, but hadn't been able to make a formal announcement. "Like every [Indian] cricketer, even I wished to bid goodbye in an India jersey, but fate had something else in store for me. Irrespective of the side I represented, I have always given my 100% commitment to ensure my team finishes on top - whether it was India, Punjab, Mumbai Indians, CSK [Chennai Super Kings], KKR or the county teams of Surrey and Essex." "If you ask me about my cricket career, my first real happiness was the hat-trick I took in Kolkata, becoming the first Indian bowler to do so in a Test match. I also got 32 wickets in the three Tests in that series, which is still a record," he said. "Following this, the T20 World Cup win 2007 and the [ODI] World Cup win in 2011 were most important for me. Those were moments that I can neither forget nor express in words as to how big that happiness was for me." "Cricket was, is and will always be an important part of my life. I have served Indian cricket for years, and will continue to strive to serve them in the future," he said. "I have no idea about the future, but whatever I am today is because of cricket. I will be immensely hap...

A young Harbhajan Singh bolstered his credentials after a successful home Test series against Steve Waugh's invincible Australia in 2001. Replacing an injured Anil Kumble, 'Bhajji' was crowned 'Man of the Series' in performances that stopped the Kangaroos record unbeaten run. He took 32 wickets in the series, including the first ever Test hat-trick for India. Prior to his ascendancy during that series, Harbhajan made his ODI and Test debut in 1998. After a year in action, few noteworthy displays coupled with a suspect bowling action was all that emerged and he was eventually relegated to domestic cricket. His return after a two-year hiatus was a one filled with renewed determination that epitomized captain Sourav Ganguly's fearlessness. Following his stand-out performance against Australia, he forced selectors to rethink India's bowling line-up by opting for a two-pronged spin attack in tandem with Anil Kumble. He added further repute as a player with his pinch-hitting abilities as a tail-ender. Following spin-ally Kumble's retirement from international cricket, the mantle was cast on The Turbanator (his nickname), especially in series abroad where India usually played with a solitary spinner. He stuck to his task in India's series victory in New Zealand in 2009, the country's first such win against the Kiwis in 40 years. In November 2010, he scaled an unprecedented summit in his batting career when he scored his maiden Test century against New Zealand, helping India to sa...

Harbhajan Singh and Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: Twitter) Former Indian cricketer and 2011 World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh has revealed his preferred 15-man squad for the T20I series against the Windies, commencing in August later this year. The former Indian cricketer went with a youthful side, led by Hardik Pandya, with a few surprising inclusions. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh are two of the most obvious picks given their sublime effort with the bat in the recently concluded IPL 2023, Harbhajan also included Harshit Rana and Akash Madhwal in the 15-member squad. Both Rana and Madhwal shone for their respective franchises in the latter part of the tournament. Jitesh Sharma is another youngster who gets the nod from the former Mumbai Indians player, following his power-hitting display lower down the order in IPL 2023. Harbhajan's preferred T20I squad for the WI series: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Akash Madhwal Harbhajan Singh picks his T20 team for the West Indies series: 1) Shubman Gill 2) Yashasvi Jaiswal 3) Ruturaj Gaikwad 4) Ishan Kishan 5) Suryakumar Yadav 6) Rinku Singh 7) Tilak Varma 8) Hardik Pandya (C) 9) Axar Patel 10) Jitesh Sharma 11) Ravi Bishnoi 12) Yuzvendra Chahal… The former Indian cricketer has been critical of several senior members of the Indian team who und...

NEW DELHI: A small spot jump followed by a two step angular run-up and a fast action that hoodwinked batters. Not all beautiful love stories have perfect endings and one can bet that as he bid adieu to the cricket field, the 41-year-old would have ideally liked a happier ending to his cricketing script. Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh retires from all forms of cricket One of India's most successful off-spinners, Harbhajan Singh on Friday announced retirement from all forms of cricket. The 41-year-old from Punjab took 417 wickets in 103 Tests, 269 wickets in 236 ODIs and 25 scalps in 28 T20Is in his illustrious career. But there shouldn't be any regrets as it was a lovely journey, full of experiences that make life worthwhile and anyone who knows him closely, would vouch that the 'R' word in his dictionary never stood for 'regret'. He was semi-retired for the past few years having last worn the India blues back in 2016 but every story -- good, bad or ugly -- requires a closure and for India's Turbanator, his announcement of retirement officially marks an end to one of Indian cricket's most fascinating chapters. With 100-plus Tests and 400-plus wickets, most of them not exactly coming on rank turners, Harbhajan's name will always figure among true blue cricketing elites of India. And with two limited-overs world titles under his belt, it's an enviable CV for any top-flight cricketer. He was unique in his own way with all his frailties, heartburns and controversies and the ma...

• • • Harbhajan Singh Lashes Out On Indian Pitches After WTC Final 2023, Says ‘Can’t Give Yourself Fake Confidence’ Harbhajan Singh Lashes Out On Indian Pitches After WTC Final 2023, Says ‘Can’t Give Yourself Fake Confidence’ Australia's 469 runs in the first innings were powered largely by centuries from Travis Head (163 in 174 balls, 25 fours and a six), and Steve Smith (121 in 268 balls, 19 fours). Harbhajan Lashes Out On Indian Pitches After WTC Final 2023, Says 'Can't Give Yourself Fake Confidence' New Delhi: After India’s ICC World Test Championship final loss to Australia at The Oval, legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh raised questions over highly spin-friendly pitches in India, and how it affects India’s preparation for big matches, especially in pace-friendly conditions. After their ICC World Test Championship title win against India in the final by 209 runs at The Oval, Australia made history by becoming the first-ever team to clinch all major ICC trophies. After dominating India over the course of five days Australia secured their maiden World Test Championship 2023 title on Sunday at the Oval, London. India was bundled out at 234 in 63.3 overs while chasing 444, with Mohammad Shami as the last player standing with a score of 13(8)*. Also Read: • • • Harbhajan said that by finishing Test matches within just three days on spin-friendly Indian pitches, India cannot prepare itself fully for big clashes and they need to work hard for all five days, make it their habi...

With the Oval wicket getting better to bat on with each passing session, Harbhajan feels after India wrap up Australia's first inning, the batters will enjoy striking the ball on day two. Though the new ball did a lot of talking for the Indian bowlers during the first hour on day one, Harbhajan opines that in-form Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will not be bothered come their turn. "The Oval is perhaps the best pitch to bat on in England, and it will be better to bat on as the game goes on. I don't think India will have any difficulties batting on this wicket. Gill and Kohli are in good form, the weather has opened up, and there is not much cloud cover as well," Harbhajan said while speaking on his YouTube channel. Considering the conditions, not playing Ashwin was a right call There was a lot of buzz all over internet after Rohit Sharma named the playing XI, and Ravi Ashwin's name was nowhere to be found. With the ranked number one Test bowler not getting picked and India also leaking runs throughout the day one, the Indian team had to bear the brunt of it. Speaking on the same, Harbhajan said, "Only the toss went in India's favour, after that it was all Australia. India did not have a grip on the game in any of the sessions. Considering the conditions, the team selection was right, but it did not pan out as hoped. The lines kept getting wider, and the length also kept dropping." "The Australian batters were comfortably playing on the back foot. India did not make the most ...

Harbhajan Singh Biography: Harbhajan Singh announced his retirement from all formats of Cricket on 24 December 2021, ending his 23-year-old long cricket career. He announced his announcement via social media. "All good things come to an end and today as I bid adieu to the game that has given me everything in life, I would like to thank everyone who made this 23-year-long journey beautiful and memorable. My heartfelt thank you. Grateful, " the 41-year-old tweeted announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket. Harbhajan Singh Retirement: Full statement In a video message, Harbhajan said, "There comes a time in life, you have to take tough decisions and you have to move on. For the past year, I wanted to make an announcement, and I was waiting for the right time to share the moment with all of you. Today, I am taking retirement from all formats of cricket. Mentally, I retired earlier but couldn't announce it. In any case, I have not been playing active cricket for some time but due to my commitment with Kolkata Knight Riders, I wanted to stay with them for the IPL (2021) season. But during the season, I had already made up my mind to retire. Like every cricketer, I wanted to bid adieu wearing an Indian jersey but destiny had other plans. For whichever team I have played, I have played with 100 per cent commitment, so that my team finishes on top. Whatever I have managed to achieve in my life, thanks to the blessings of my Guruji Sant Harcharan Singh. He gave direction t...