India’s veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh is celebrating his 40th birthday today. Harbhajan’s former teammates, with whom he has spent the best years of his life, took to Twitter to wish the off-spinner. Despite age not being on his side, Harbhajan had recently revealed that he once again wants to play for the Indian team and he can be considered for the T20I side.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh is one of India’s most successful spinners. The Turbanator was the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick when he took three wickets on the trot against Australia in the famous Kolkata Test in 2001. Bhajji was at his best in the series as he snared 32 wickets at an average of 17 and breathed down the neck of the Australian juggernauts.
Harbhajan Singh is India’s most successful off-spinner
The off-spinner had recently stated that historic series against Australia in 2001 was the turning point in his career. India’s lead spinner Anil Kumble was injured and Harbhajan was able to grab his chance.
Harbhajan finished his Test career with 417 wickets in 103 Test matches at an average of 32.46. The experienced off-spinner claimed 269 wickets in 235 ODI matches at an average of 33.35. The right-arm finger spinner from Punjab took 25 wickets in 28 T20I matches.
Harbhajan was part of the 2007 World T20 and 2011 World Cup triumph. He took nine wickets in as many matches in the 2011 World Cup. On the other hand, Harbhajan played for a decade with Mumbai Indians and won three IPL titles with them.
Subsequently, he moved to Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2018 and has also won an IPL trophy with the MS Dhoni-led team. Harbhajan has bagged 150 wickets in 160 IPL matches and he has been a consistent performer in all the three forms of the game. The off-spinner will look to keep the good show going and he will play for CSK in IPL 2020, whenever the tournament will happen.
Here is how Cricket fraternity wished Harbhajan Singh on his birthday:
Happy birthday @harbhajan_singh paaaji ? #singhisking #legend ? @ Jalandhar, India https://t.co/4Z5MeLVzvq
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) July 3, 2020
Is it your happy 40 or 47 ? Here’s a glimpse of the wonderful years spent together pulling each other’s leg, sometimes pants too ? U have always proved to the world Singh u will always be King ? After quarantine party to leni hai 100% ? love u paaji ❤️?@harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/hKSP4u8WTJ
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 3, 2020
Wishing @harbhajan_singh a very very Happy Birthday. May you experience joy and continue to share it with people around you. Have a great day and a fabulous year ahead. #HBDHarbhajanSingh pic.twitter.com/AY5TBMc8fA
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 3, 2020
Wishing @harbhajan_singh paaji a very happy birthday. May god bless you with great health and happiness. ?
— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh) July 3, 2020
Wish you a very Happy birthday Bhajju pa!! Have a great one @harbhajan_singh
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) July 3, 2020
.@harbhajan_singh pajhi janamdin diyaan lakh lakh vadhayiaan ? Let's grab a bat and ball and celebrate together once this is all over ? pic.twitter.com/4BB6vVulU6
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 3, 2020
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Bhajju Paa @harbhajan_singh. May God bless you with good health and happiness. Have a great year ahead. ??
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 3, 2020
Happy Birthday @harbhajan_singh !
One of the greatest match-winners & an amazing human being. Memories made with you are unforgettable & heartwarming?
Thank you for always being there for me, and everything you have given to cricket. Keep inspiring the young generation! ???? pic.twitter.com/mK24obq6Os— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) July 3, 2020
Happy birthday @harbhajan_singh Paa G ???
Hav a super duper one nd May God always blesses u nd ur family members. pic.twitter.com/lKmwaDAaPd— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 3, 2020