Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He announced his retirement on social media on Friday, December 26. India’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Tests, off-spinner, wrote on Twitter: “All good things have an end. Today I am saying goodbye to the game that gave me everything. “
Retirement Rumours
Bhajji’s retirement has been rumored for several days. Because it was heard from his close quarters that he could join either of the two new teams in the IPL as a spin bowling coach. But since he did not retire from cricket, there were problems. This day marks the end of a chapter in Indian cricket.
Harbhajan played three matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first half of the last IPL. However, he did not play in the second period. As a result, Bhajji has not played a competitive match since last April. In a video, Harbhajan said, “Looking back, I have already retired as a cricketer. Because I didn’t have the fitness to play on the international stage. I can’t even give time in IPL. So I decided. IPL auction will be held in a few days. Then many will want me. But I will fail to meet expectations. And I don’t want that at all. I think this is the best time to announce retirement. So I made the official announcement.
Harbhajan Singh Debut
Harbhajan Singh made his Test debut in 1996 against Australia in Bangalore and Greg Blewett turned out to be his maiden Test scalp. The world witnessed the best of Harbhajan when he took 32 wickets in 3 matches in the famous Test series against Australia in 2001. Even after the follow-on in Kolkata, India took 13 wickets in that winning match. He played his 103 tests, the last of his career in 2015 in Galle against Sri Lanka.
He ended with 418 wickets at an average of 32.48 in his Test career. For India, Harbhajan is just topped by Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and Ravichandran Ashwin.
In the same year of his Test debut, he earned his maiden ODI cap when India played against New Zealand in April in Sharjah. Matt Horne was his first ODI wicket. Harbhajan played the last ODI in 2015.
Harbhajan was a member of the Indian side that reached the summit clash of the 2003 50-over World Cup and eventually won the title in 2011 where he took nine wickets. He also was a part of the set-up that won the T20 WC in 2007 in South Africa.
Harbhajan, a member of the Champions Trophy-winning team in 2013, took 269 wickets in 237 ODIs. Harbhajan played his last international match for India in the 2016 Asia Cup T20. He was also part of the team that won the T20 World Cup in 2007.
IPL
Harbhajan also played 163 IPL matches and took 150 wickets. His best season in the IPL came in 2013 when he took 24 wickets at an average of 19 for the Mumbai Indians.
After retiring for personal reasons from the IPL 2020 season, he played for Kolkata for the last time last year. In all, Harbhajan has taken 150 wickets in 173 matches in the IPL. He is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL.
In a video message, 41-year-old Harbhajan said, “There comes a time in life when you have to make difficult decisions, move forward. I’ve been wanting to announce this for years, but I’m sharing it with you. Waiting for the right moment to take. Today I am retiring from all forms of cricket.
