Top 5 Memorable Performances By Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian off-spinner is celebrating his 40th birthday today. The ‘turbanator’, who made his debut way back in 1998, is the third-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket [417] after Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev.

Harbhajan, during his decade-and-a half-year-old career, scripted a multitude of match-winning performances for the Indian cricket. And, what better way to reminisce about them than today.

Here’s a look at top-5 memorable performances by Harbhajan Singh-

Also Read: Harbhajan Singh Turns 40: A Look At His Lesser Known Facts

69 & 115 vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad 2010

That he is no mug with the bat has been proved on multiple occasions, but not in a more apt manner than he did during the 2010 home Test series against New Zealand.

After having scored 69 in the first innings of the 1st Test in Ahmedabad, Harbhajan Singh went on to rack up his maiden Test hundred in the second innings and he did that when India found themselves reeling at 6-65

Bhajji, who scored a 193-ball 115, stitched a 163-run stand with VVS Laxman [91], helping the home side to post a match-saving total of 266.

What’s even better is he did an encore of it in the next Test when he smashed a whirlwind 116-ball 111- an innings which included 7 fours and as many sixes.

6-63 vs New Zealand, Hamilton 2009

Thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s 160, India had taken a 241-run lead over the hosts in the 1st Test of the 2009 series in Hamilton.

To enforce a result, India needed its bowlers to step-up in the second innings, and this where Harbhajan Singh decided to take the onus on himself.

The ‘turbanator’, in an inspired spell of bowling, broke the back of the Kiwis batting-unit, claiming 6-63 to bowl the hosts out for 279. India polished off the desired 38 runs to seal a 10-wicket win and eventually won the series 1-0.

3-64 & 5-59 vs South Africa, Eden Gardens, Kolkata 2010

That Eden Gardens, Kolkata, always tends to bring the best out of Harbhajan Singh, was once again proved to the hilt during the 2010 Test against the Proteas.

After having claimed 3-64 in the first innings to restrict the South Africans to 296, the ‘turbanator’ went on to wreak havoc in the second innings, claiming 5-59 to help India level the two-match series.

7-133 & 8-84 vs Australia, Chennai, 2001

In the series decider, Harbhajan Singh once again brought his ‘A’ game to the fore.

Bhajji claimed 7-133 in the first innings to help India bowl Australia out for 391 despite a whirlwind double-hundred from Matthew Hayden.

He came up with another match-winning spell in the second innings, claiming 8-84 to ensure that the Indians did not have to chase more than 155 in the fourth innings.

7-123 & 6-73 vs Australia, Eden Gardens 2001

And, the game that not only turned around the fortunes for Harbhajan but also for Indian cricket. The ‘turbanator’, en-route to 7-123 in the first innings, became the first Indian to claim a hat-trick in a Test match, dismissing the likes of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne.

After VVS Laxman [281] and Rahul Dravid’s [180] marathon knocks, India needed Bhajji to do an encore of his 1st innings performance, which is exactly what he did as he claimed 6-73 on the final day to bowl the Aussies out for 212, helping India script a barely believable 171-run victory.