Harbhajan Singh's Khel Ratna Award Application Rejected By Sports Ministry

The Sports Ministry of Government of India has rejected the application for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award of star India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. Punjab Government recommended the name of the veteran cricketer for the prestigious award.

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Harbhajan’s Khel Ratna application rejected

Harbhajan has been one of the greatest servants of Indian cricket. A player of passion, with the talent to win a match, Harbhajan Singh is India’s most successful offspin bowler. The Punjab-born cricketer brought the best out of him every time he played against Australia – the strongest team in the early 2000s. In the 2001 series, a young Harbhajan was at his best dismissing former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting five times under the score of 12. The second Test between India and Australia in 2001 at Eden Gardens is one of the best in history of Indian cricket. While many remember the outstanding partnership of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan made his mark with an outstanding hattrick in that match helping India beat the Aussies by 171 runs.

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Harbhajan Singh has also served Punjab cricket with all his might. He has time and again come forward to help the youngsters with his bowling acumen. Keeping his illustrious career in mind, the Punjab Government forwarded the name of Harbhajan for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. However, the ministry received his nomination on June 25, 2019. The deadline for sending the application was April 30, 2019; as a result, the ministry rejected his application for the award.

The 39-year-old Harbhajan Singh has represented India in 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20Is claiming 711 wickets in total.

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