BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has congratulated the recently retired Harbhajan Singh on a illustrious career, saying that one aspect of the veteran off-spinner that inspired him the most was his “hunger to perform”. Harbhajan Singh gave time to his career on Friday after a stellar career. 23 years in international cricket.
During his career, he won two World Cups – the first ICC World T20 in 2007 and then the ODI World Cup in 2011. He took 417 wickets in 103 Tests, 269 wickets in 236 ODIs and 25 wickets in 28 T20Is.
“I congratulate Harbhajan Singh on a remarkable career. He has faced many challenges in his life, but Bhajji is not one to give up. He has overcome many obstacles and has many setbacks behind him to rise every time. What inspired me the most about him was his hunger to perform,” Ganguly said in a statement to the BCCI.
“His strength was his guts and courage. He was always very passionate, and his immense confidence meant he never backed down from a fight. He also kept the dressing room atmosphere light and that’s really important,” ex Added the captain, who had great faith in Harbhajan’s abilities and brought him back during that epic series against Australia in 2001.
Terming Harbhajan’s captivating performance against the Aussies as one of the best, Ganguly said the off-spinner is always a “captain’s delight”.
“Their first full Test series against Australia in 2001 is the biggest I have seen where a bowler has single-handedly won a series. He was a captain’s delight.
“As a bowler, he hated putting fielders in the deep. Bhajji has been an absolute match winner. He should be proud of what he has achieved. I want to tell him that his new innings in life will be equally exciting.
A fierce competitor, Harbhajan ended his illustrious career as India’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 417 wickets and was fifth among Indian bowlers with 269 wickets in ODIs.
Harbhajan represented the country for almost two decades, making his debut against Australia in 1998 at the age of 17 in Bengaluru. He participated in a total of 100-Test club and is only the second Indian spinner after Anil Kumble to play more than 100 Tests. India.
He has the honor of being the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick when he dismissed Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne in successive deliveries in the famous Kolkata Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2001.
Their astonishing match tally of 13/196 helped the team to a resounding victory as India became the third team to win a Test after being forced to follow-on.
Harbhajan was also instrumental in helping India win the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and later becoming the first team to win the 2011 World Cup in India.
“Harbhajan Singh has had a wonderful career with Team India. He has been a part of many memorable victories both at home and away. He played his cricket with patience and vigor and had a heart up his sleeve. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that his enthusiasm and zeal to perform for India when the team was under pressure was such.
“His presence on the field boosted everyone’s morale. While he played a major role with the ball, taking wickets, it must be remembered that he has also played some important innings with the bat, which has helped us break the line. I wish him the very best for all his future endeavours and wish him all the best in the sport.
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