Harbhajan Singh Conferred Honorary PhD In Sports By French University

Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh was recently conferred with an honorary PhD in sports by a French university in a convocation ceremony that was conducted on campus and the off-spinner couldn’t attend due to his participation in the ongoing IPL 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

After spending 10 years with the Mumbai Indians where he even captained the side in the inaugural Indian Premier League season in 2008 and winning the IPL three times, Harbhajan Singh was released ahead of the IPL 2018 auction.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought the veteran spinner and he won another IPL trophy with the MS Dhoni-led side in IPL 2018. He also played the IPL 2019 for CSK but gave the IPL 2020 which was played in the UAE due to the COVID situation in India, a miss, and was released by the Chennai franchise.

While many thought this was it for the Turbanator, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bid for him in the IPL 2021 auction. However, Harbhajan has played just 3 matches for the franchise, all coming in the India leg of the tournament, and picked 0 wickets.

Overall in the Indian Premier League, Harbhajan Singh has 150 wickets in 163 matches with a best of 5/18 at an economy of 7.07.

French University Ecole Superieure Robert De Sorbon Confers Harbhajan Singh With Honorary Phd In Sports

The French university Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon recently announced that it will be conferring Harbhajan Singh with an honorary PhD in Sports. The university awards honorary doctorate degree to eminent personalities in various walks of life, which also includes achievements in the sporting arena.

“If any institution accords respect, you accept that with utmost humility. If I have been conferred with an honorary sports doctorate by the university, it is because I played cricket and people have showered their love and affection for that. I am honored to be conferred with the degree,” the 41-year-old Harbhajan said.

Harbhajan’s name was recommended to the French University by noted industrialist Dr. Harcharan Singh Ranauta, vice-president of the Indian Federation of United Nations Associations (IFUNA).

Harbhajan also thanked the jury which selected him and said: “I would like to thank Dr. John Thomas Parade, president Sorbon, Dr. Vivek Choudhury, chairman, Sorbon International Convocation Committee (Celebrity), Dr. Mukesh Tyagi, Sorbon International Convocation Committee, for finding me worthy enough.”

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