OTD: Harbhajan Singh was born in 1980

On this day, July 3, 1980, one of India’s most iconic cricketers, Harbhajan Singh was born in Jalandhar, Punjab. He is known as the ‘Turbanator’ for his aggressiveness and fiery presence on the field. The off spinner became the game-changer for Indian cricket during the early 2000s.

His career spanned nearly two decades and left a lasting legacy in Indian cricket. Harbhajan made his international debut in 1998 against Australia in Bengaluru. But his name came into headlines during the 2001 Test series against the Aussies. He picked a whopping 32 wickets in six innings at an average of 17.03, which also included a hat-trick in Kolkata – the first by an Indian in Test cricket.

His spell in the second Test at Eden Gardens, where India followed on and eventually won a game for the ages, is etched in Indian cricketing folklore. The performance was a turning point for Indian cricket at the beginning of the 21st century.

Over his international career, Harbhajan played 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20Is for India, picking 417, 269, and 25 wickets respectively. He is still among the top Indian wicket-takers in Test history. He was an integral part of the Indian spin setup during the period that included Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The off-spinner is also part of India’s most memorable triumphs which included the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory on home soil. He is not a proper batter, but also stitched together a few crucial partnerships with the lower-order batters. He also scored two Test centuries, both coming off against New Zealand in 2010.

In T20 leagues, he represented successful franchises like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, where he played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s early triumphs in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since his retirement, he moved to commentary and entertainment, becoming a popular personality beyond the cricket field. His deep knowledge of the game and candid thoughts continue to make headlines.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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