‘Happy birthday to one of the greatest ever from India’ – Wishes pour in thick and fast as Harbhajan Singh turns 43

Harbhajan Singh (Photo Source: Instagram/Harbhajan Singh)

From playing an integral part in a few of India’s glorious chapters to winning four IPL trophies, Harbhajan Singh’s playing career has been nothing short of a fairytale. The spin wizard first burst onto the international scene in the late 1990s during Australia’s tour of India and after a few years of ups and downs, the 43-year-old cemented his position in the side and went on to achieve some remarkable feats in international cricket.

Bhajji, as fondly addressed by fellow players and cricket enthusiasts, represented India in 103 Test matches, and claimed 417 wickets in the format. Along with Anil Kumble, the off-spinner dominated most of the opponents and was a force to reckon with during his prime.

Currently, he is the fourth-leading wicket-taker for India in the longest format of the game and when it comes to limited-overs cricket, Harbhajan is one of those rare cricketers who have won both T20 and ODI World Cups.

Other than winning World Cups for the national team, Harbhajan will also be remembered for his brilliant hat-trick against Australia in 2001 at the iconic Eden Gardens. He became the first Indian international to achieve the feat in the longest format and other than that, the off-spinner also picked up 32 wickets to help India win an all-time classic series.

Meanwhile, the cricketer had his fair share of controversies as well. The Monekeygate saga that took place in 2008 in Australia shook the cricketing world as Harbhajan was on the verge of getting penalised heavily but wasn’t ultimately.

In the very next year, his physical altercation with national teammate Sreesanth while playing in the IPL made the headlines and for which, the cricketer was suspended by BCCI as well. However, the duo shares great camaraderie now and is often spotted commentating together.

Notably, despite all the controversies, Harbhajan will forever be remembered as one of the greatest off-spinners of all time. The cricketer dominated all three formats of the game before announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket in December 2021.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to his birthday –

ODI World Cup winner.
– T20 World Cup winner.
– IPL winner with MI & CSK.
– Won CL T20 as a Captain with MI.
– 417 wickets in Tests.
– 269 wickets in ODI.
– 150 wickets in IPL.

Happy birthday to one of the greatest ever from India, Harbhajan Singh.#TossTime #HarbhajanSingh pic.twitter.com/u3KH05XMse

— Toss Time (@TossTime2) July 3, 2023

The man who displayed 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐚𝐳𝐛𝐚 every time he stepped on the field. 🦁😍

Janamdin mubarak, Bhajju Pa! ♥️🎂

📸 Credits: BCCI#HarbhajanSingh #HappyBirthdayHarbhajanSingh #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/GNSrJVW1dE

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) July 3, 2023

If there is one bowling action we all have atleast tried to replicate when we were young, then it would be that of #HarbhajanSingh 😅

Happy B’day 💥🎂 to one of the best spinners India has produced thus far.

Tell us your favorite memory of the TURBANTOR. 💥❤️@harbhajan_singh

— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) July 3, 2023

Happy Birthday @harbhajan_singh #HarbhajanSingh pic.twitter.com/hdXj4Z0z2G

— Vaibhav Sharma (@vaibhav_4x) July 3, 2023

Wish you many happy returns of the day Bhajji pa. Your magic with the ball and fiery spirit on the field have entertained us all. Have a good one! pic.twitter.com/wNzP01WBkr

— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 3, 2023

Happy birthday bhajju Pa @harbhajan_singh 🎂♥️ pic.twitter.com/RayaEsJDVe

— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) July 3, 2023

हर विकेट पर बर्थडे जैसा जश्न मनाने वाले भज्जी को असली Birthday पर मुहब्बत ❤️
Happy Birthday Yara pic.twitter.com/sHBS2K7jlZ

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 3, 2023

Happy birthday, @harbhajan_singh! Not only were you a champion spinner for India on the field, but you are also a wonderful person off it. I wish you a year filled with joy, laughter and an abundance of beautiful memories to cherish. pic.twitter.com/LvBraUl9pp

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) July 3, 2023

Wishing u a very happy birthday @harbhajan_singh! May you have a long & healthy life & may you keep enthralling us! pic.twitter.com/W47gTEUMbk

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 3, 2023

Turbanator Turns 43!

— Rishabh Beniwal (@RishabhBeniwal) July 3, 2023