Harbhajan Singh had a long career for the Indian team. In fact, he hasn’t yet called time on his International career. The Turbanator went on play 103 Test matches and 236 One Day Internationals for the Indian team. Therefore, the players who have a prolonged career are generally expected to deal with a plethora of injuries. Subsequently, Harbhajan Singh had to also deal with the same.
Bhajji revealed the worst injury happen to him while playing against New Zealand which was scheduled before the Australian tour in 2003.
In fact, the two Test match series against New Zealand ended in a stalemate. The off-spinner had torn his ligament on his finger. Thus, the tweaker wanted to rest for the Australian tour.
Harbhajan takes an indirect dig at Sourav Ganguly.
However, Sourav Ganguly who was the captain of the side was adamant to have the services of Harbhajan on the Down Under tour.
In the process, Harbhajan went on to aggravate his injury. Consequently, the veteran had to sit out for a period of eight months. Thus, he ended up missing the crucial tour of Pakistan in 2003-04.
Harbhajan Singh said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo, “I tore my ligament in my bowling finger playing against New Zealand in India, just before going on tour to Australia. I went into that series with an injury because the captain wanted me to go on tour. I told him that I was injured, but he said, “No, I need you there.” The injury got a lot worse and took me out of the game for eight months, which meant I missed that historic series against Pakistan [2003-04]”.
Harbhajan Singh had a fine career for India as he scalped 417 wickets in the red ball version whereas he took 269 wickets in his ODI career. In fact, Harbhajan also revealed that the best captain he played under was Sourav Ganguly.
Ganguly always backed the young talent in his team and Harbhajan Singh shared a great bonhomie with the Prince of Kolkata.
