Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh – The Turbanator Who Ruled Indian Cricket

Introduction

Harbhajan Singh, widely known as "The Turbanator", is one of India's greatest off-spin bowlers. With a career spanning over two decades, he was a dominant force in Indian cricket, particularly during the early 2000s. His ability to take wickets under pressure, deliver match-winning performances, and dismantle some of the strongest batting line-ups in the world made him an essential part of Team India’s golden era. Born in Jalandhar, Punjab, Harbhajan had humble beginnings but soon rose to prominence through his sharp off-spin, aggressive personality, and exceptional control over the ball. He played a key role in India’s victories in the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the 2007 T20 World Cup, and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Besides his cricketing achievements, Harbhajan has also built a strong presence in politics, commentary, and entertainment, making him one of the most recognized sports personalities in India. His transition from cricket to public life, media, and mentorship continues to inspire many young cricketers and fans alike. This page explores Harbhajan Singh’s complete career journey, from his early days in Punjab to his cricketing triumphs, IPL dominance, and his life after retirement.

Harbhajan Singh – Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Harbhajan Singh Plaha
Born	3 July 1980 (Age 44)
Birthplace	Jalandhar, Punjab, India
Nickname	Bhajji, The Turbanator
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Batting Style	Right-handed
Bowling Style	Right-arm off-spin
Role	Bowler
Test Debut	25 March 1998 vs Australia
ODI Debut	17 April 1998 vs New Zealand
T20I Debut	1 December 2006 vs South Africa
Last Test	12 August 2015 vs Sri Lanka
Last ODI	25 October 2015 vs South Africa
IPL Teams	Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders
Total Test Wickets	417
Total ODI Wickets	269

Harbhajan Singh – Career Statistics

Harbhajan Singh, one of India's greatest off-spinners, had an illustrious career across Test, ODI, T20I, and IPL cricket. He was a crucial part of India's bowling attack for nearly two decades, contributing significantly in domestic and international matches. Below are his detailed career statistics, highlighting his achievements across formats.

1. Overall Career Statistics

Format	Matches	Innings	Wickets	Best Bowling (Innings)	Best Bowling (Match)	5 Wicket Hauls	10 Wicket Hauls	Bowling Average	Economy Rate
Test	103	190	417	8/84 vs Australia	15/217 vs Australia	25	5	32.46	2.84
ODI	236	227	269	5/31 vs South Africa	-	3	0	33.35	4.31
T20I	28	27	25	4/12 vs England	-	0	0	25.32	6.20
First-Class (FC)	198	-	780	8/84	15/217	41	8	29.04	-
List A (LA)	366	-	392	5/31	-	3	0	32.56	-
T20	269	-	235	4/12	-	0	0	26.44	6.95

2. Test Cricket Career Stats (1998–2015)

Harbhajan made his Test debut in 1998 against Australia and played his last Test in 2015 against Sri Lanka. He was India's premier off-spinner during the 2000s, forming a formidable partnership with Anil Kumble.

Test Bowling Records

Opponent	Matches	Wickets	Average	Best Bowling (Innings)	Best Bowling (Match)	5 Wicket Hauls	10 Wicket Hauls
Australia	18	95	29.95	8/84	15/217	7	3
England	13	43	36.24	6/78	7/136	2	0
Pakistan	11	38	30.26	5/122	7/133	2	0
Sri Lanka	17	79	30.94	8/84	10/153	7	2
South Africa	11	38	36.76	7/120	9/144	2	0
West Indies	11	44	33.06	5/13	8/180	3	0
New Zealand	12	43	32.02	6/63	9/160	2	0

Test Batting Stats

Matches	Runs	Batting Average	100s/50s	Highest Score	Strike Rate
103	2,224	18.23	2/9	115 vs New Zealand	65.93

First Indian off-spinner to score two Test centuries Scored 115 vs New Zealand in 2010 and 111 vs Sri Lanka in 2010

3. ODI Career Stats (1998–2015)

Harbhajan Singh was a crucial part of India’s ODI squad for nearly two decades, playing in three World Cups (2003, 2007, 2011). His biggest contribution came in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, where he played a key role in India’s victory.

ODI Bowling Records

Opponent	Matches	Wickets	Average	Best Bowling	5 Wicket Hauls
Australia	35	37	34.60	3/37	0
England	23	27	31.85	5/43	1
Pakistan	26	38	27.84	4/26	0
Sri Lanka	42	61	26.45	4/27	0
South Africa	28	35	30.32	5/31	1
West Indies	22	30	29.63	3/35	0

ODI Batting Stats

Matches	Runs	Batting Average	100s/50s	Highest Score	Strike Rate
236	1,237	13.30	0/0	49	80.33

Played a key role in the 2011 World Cup semi-final vs Pakistan, taking 3/53 Won the 2002 Champions Trophy (shared with Sri Lanka)

4. T20I Career Stats (2006–2016)

Harbhajan Singh was part of India’s inaugural T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2007. He played in 28 T20Is and picked up 25 wickets.

T20I Bowling Records

Matches	Wickets	Average	Best Bowling	Economy Rate
28	25	25.32	4/12 vs England	6.20

Helped India win the first-ever T20 World Cup in 2007 Took 4/12 vs England in the 2012 T20 World Cup

Early Life and Personal Background

Harbhajan Singh was born into a middle-class Sikh family in Jalandhar, Punjab, on 3 July 1980. As the only son in a family of five sisters, he was raised with strong family values and discipline. His father, Sardev Singh Plaha, owned a small business dealing in ball bearings, and he had initially envisioned his son taking over the family trade. However, Harbhajan’s passion for cricket was undeniable, and his father supported his dreams wholeheartedly.

First Steps into Cricket

Harbhajan initially started his cricketing journey as a batsman under the guidance of Coach Charanjit Singh Bhullar. However, after the unfortunate passing of his coach, Harbhajan switched to off-spin bowling under the mentorship of Davinder Arora. His training regimen was intense, consisting of:

• Morning sessions from 6 AM to 9 AM
• Evening practice lasting from 3 PM until sunset

His dedication and discipline paid off when he was selected for Punjab's Under-16 team. His impressive performances at the junior level opened the doors for first-class cricket and eventually international recognition.

Family and Personal Life

Harbhajan has always been a family-oriented person. He married Geeta Basra, a Bollywood actress, in October 2015, and they have two children:

• Daughter: Hinaya Heer Plaha (born 2016)
• Son: Jovan Veer Singh Plaha (born 2021)

Despite his fame, Harbhajan remains deeply connected to his Punjabi roots and often engages in charitable activities to support underprivileged children and promote cricket in rural areas.

Domestic Career – The Rise of an Off-Spin Sensation

Harbhajan’s domestic career began in the 1997–98 season when he made his first-class debut for Punjab. He quickly established himself as a promising off-spinner with the ability to generate sharp turn and deceive batsmen with his variations.

Key Achievements in Domestic Cricket

Made first-class debut for Punjab in 1997 Took 7 wickets in his U-16 debut against Haryana Played for Surrey and Essex in English county cricket Led Mumbai Indians to IPL victories in 2013, 2015, and 2017 Won the 2023 Legends League Cricket title with Manipal Tigers His consistent performances in Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and domestic T20 leagues made him a top contender for national selection.

International Career – The Spin Wizard Who Baffled Batsmen

Harbhajan Singh’s international career officially began in 1998, and he played a crucial role in shaping India’s bowling attack for over 18 years.

Test Career (1998–2015) – The Border-Gavaskar Trophy Hero

Harbhajan made his Test debut against Australia in 1998. However, it was in the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy that he truly announced his arrival.

2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy – Career-Defining Series

• Took 32 wickets in 3 Tests, including a hat-trick at Eden Gardens
• Became the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick
• Dismissed Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne in a single over
• Helped India win the series 2-1, ending Australia’s 16-match winning streak

This series established Harbhajan as India’s premier off-spinner, and he continued to deliver match-winning performances against teams like England, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. His best Test bowling figures came against Australia, where he took 8/84 in a single innings.

ODI Career (1998–2015) – A Pillar of India's White-Ball Success

Harbhajan was a crucial bowler in India’s ODI squad, playing in three World Cups (2003, 2007, and 2011).

2011 Cricket World Cup – The Ultimate Glory

• Took 9 wickets in the tournament
• Delivered a crucial 3/53 in the semi-final against Pakistan
• Played a key role in India’s historic World Cup win after 28 years

Harbhajan also contributed significantly in the 2003 World Cup, where India reached the final against Australia.

T20I Career (2006–2016) – India’s Spin Anchor

Harbhajan was part of the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, playing a crucial role in helping India become the first-ever T20 World Champions. He continued to be a key bowler in T20 cricket, bringing experience and control to India’s attack.

5. Indian Premier League (IPL) Stats (2008–2021)

Harbhajan Singh was a key player in Mumbai Indians' IPL dominance, helping them win three titles (2013, 2015, 2017). He also played for Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders later in his career. IPL Career Stats

Team	Seasons	Matches	Wickets	Best Bowling	Economy Rate	Titles Won
Mumbai Indians	2008–2017	136	127	5/18	6.95	3 (2013, 2015, 2017)
Chennai Super Kings	2018–2020	24	23	3/20	7.00	1 (2018)
Kolkata Knight Riders	2021	3	0	-	7.80	0

Took 150 wickets in IPL history Played 163 matches with an economy rate of 7.05 Won 4 IPL titles (3 with Mumbai, 1 with Chennai)

IPL Career – A Mumbai Indians Icon

Harbhajan played 163 IPL matches, taking 150 wickets. He was a key player in Mumbai Indians' championship wins in 2013, 2015, and 2017.

IPL Teams and Performance

Team	Years	Titles Won
Mumbai Indians	2008-2017	3 (2013, 2015, 2017)
Chennai Super Kings	2018-2020	1 (2018)
Kolkata Knight Riders	2021	0

Post-Retirement Career and Politics

After retiring, Harbhajan transitioned into multiple roles, including: Cricket commentator and analyst Mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Actor in Punjabi films Harbhajan Singh’s legacy as one of India's greatest spinners will live on forever!