Harbhajan Singh, one of India’s greatest spinners and the chief architect of India’s historic test series win over Australia in 2001, has decided to bid adieu to all forms of the game after a 23-year-long career.
Announcing his retirement on his YouTube channel today, Harbhajan Singh revealed that he had made his retirement decision a while back, but he was waiting for his IPL commitment with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to get over before making his announcement.
Harbhajan, although, didn’t get an opportunity to play a game for KKR in the second leg of the last IPL, he was there with the squad for the entire second leg and completed his stint with the franchise. KKR was the third IPL franchise Harbhajan played for, after Mumbai Indians and CSK.
Thanking all his teams, the management staff and the coaches, Harbhajan stressed that he always tried to give his best for whichever team he played for and now at the end of his career, he is very satisfied with what he achieved.
Talking about the three highlights of his career, Harbhajan said the first highlight was the famous test series win against Australia back in 2001. It was a series where Harbhajan was not even an established member of the Indian side, but he created history by becoming the first-ever Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in test cricket.
The right-arm off-spinner grabbed 32 wickets in just 3 tests and Steve Waugh’s great Australian team, which had won 15 test matches in a row before landing in India, was handed a thumping series defeat.
Harbhajan then went on to talk about the two World Cups that he won with the Indian team, the T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007 and the ODI World Cup at home in 2011. “I can’t express it in words, the happiness that I got after winning those two World Cups,” Harbhajan said referring to the iconic triumphs.
I would be available to serve Indian cricket if needed in future: Harbhajan Singh
The 41-year-old also thanked the current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and the secretary Jay Shah for working tirelessly towards the betterment of Indian cricket and made it clear that he would always be willing to serve Indian cricket in whatever capacity he is needed in future.
The Indian fans and the ex-cricketers on Twitter paid rich tribute to Harbhajan’s glittering career where he won everything that a cricketer dreams to win. Here are some of the Twitter reactions after Harbhajan announced his retirement –
Harbhajan Singh has announced retirement from cricket. Burst onto the scene as a prodigy in 1998, and ended up with 711 international wickets! Brilliant player, good friend! Go well @harbhajan_singh @Geeta_Basra #BhajjiRetires #HarbhajanSingh pic.twitter.com/8yi4eZmgQm
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 24, 2021
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Congratulations @harbhajan_singh for a fantastic international career.For me his 32 wickets v Australia in the 3-match Test series in 2001 was special.Part of T20 WC 2007 & WC 2011 wins.Hit 2 back to back Test tons.Brought up his maiden Test ton with a six. Best wishes for future
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 24, 2021
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Hearty congratulations to my great mate @harbhajan_singh on a remarkable career! A tremendous exponent of off-spin, a gifted batsman and a true competitor who fashioned many a wonderful Indian victory. Best wishes for the future, Bhajji, go well! pic.twitter.com/xEMTpGBru3
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 24, 2021
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What a great career @harbhajan_singh. Wonderful to see you flower from a slim, young, talented cricketer to a match-winner. Wish you lots of happiness and satisfaction. You gave your family so much to be proud of https://t.co/QsMjX5eymD
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 24, 2021
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Have been fortunate to listen from you those umpteen stories of your struggles and success that have made you the legend that you are. You are one of the best that the world has ever seen. Happy retirement β¦@harbhajan_singhβ© Paaji. #HarbhajnSingh #BhajjiRetires pic.twitter.com/3s3UPgjOMX
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) December 24, 2021
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Well played Bhajji, wish you all the best in your second inningsππ https://t.co/szlVzhSZwL
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 24, 2021
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This Singh will always be the King! π
Happy retirement, Bhajji Paa. π#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians @harbhajan_singh https://t.co/90aklfbkeg
Advertisement— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 24, 2021
Harbhajan Singh, a person I would love to have played under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.
AdvertisementYuvi, Bhajji, Gambhir, and Kohli are such dominating personalities on the field. The game is never dead when they are on the field.
The zeal they bring with them is tremendous.
— Ajinkyaπ (@HailKingKohli) December 24, 2021
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Congratulations @harbhajan_singh for a magnificent career. Thank you for all the memories & you inspired a lot of people.
I hope you don't give such interviews and don't tweet something which may cause controversy and make us doubt on you. #harbhajansingh #Happyretirement— BK (@bkc18_tweets) December 24, 2021
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Congratulations Champion Player..ππππ@harbhajan_singh https://t.co/VzxkPmIndu
— Kiran Kumar (@kiran9_kumar) December 24, 2021
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