Widely regarded as the best off-spinner of the modern-day cricket, Harbhajan Singh turns 40 today. The entire cricketing fraternity poured in with heartfelt wishes for their favourite ‘Turbanator‘ on his special day.
Since making his debut in 1998, Harbhajan Singh has served Indian cricket for more than a decade on top of his game. His partnership with Anil Kumble gave India massive advantage on home conditions making them a fierce competitor.
Harbhajan celebrates his 40th birthday
However, the start was not great for Harbhajan Singh. Initially, he struggled a lot due to controversial actions and disciplinary issues. But the then skipper Sourav Ganguly backed the youngster from Punjab in 2001, who paid rich dividends in the years to come.
The 2001 Test series against Australia proved to be the turning point in his career. Harbhajan rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion, taking 32 wickets in the three-match series. He also became the first Indian bowler to take a Test hat-trick which is one of the historical game in Indian cricket.
Harbhajan has appeared for India in 103 Tests and 236 ODIs, taking 417 wickets in the longest format while dismissing batsmen on 269 occasions in the fifty-over game. His 417 dismissals are the second-highest by an off-spinner in the world. He only trails Muttiah Muralitharan, who holds the record for most wickets by a bowler in the history of cricket.
Teammates of Harbhajan Singh; past and present, poured in their heart to wish their beloved ‘Paji’ a wonderful birthday. From Virat Kohli to Yuvraj Singh to Kedar Jadhav, everyone took time out of their busy schedule to wish the veteran cricketer.
Twitter Reactions:
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Bhajju Paa @harbhajan_singh. May God bless you with good health and happiness. Have a great year ahead. 😊🎂
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 3, 2020
@harbhajan_singh Happy birthday Bhajjipa. First Indian to take a hat-trick in Tests
– Took 32 wickets in 3 Tests v Australia in 2001
Part of WT20 2007 & WC 2011 winning teams
Won 4 IPL titles ..the most loving personality around..great inspiration ✌🏻
Still going strong at 40! pic.twitter.com/KKH7vI1Jid— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) July 3, 2020
Happy birthday @harbhajan_singh Paa G 🎂🍰🥂
Hav a super duper one nd May God always blesses u nd ur family members. pic.twitter.com/lKmwaDAaPd— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 3, 2020
Is it your happy 40 or 47 🤪 Here’s a glimpse of the wonderful years spent together pulling each other’s leg, sometimes pants too 🤣 U have always proved to the world Singh u will always be King 👑 After quarantine party to leni hai 100% 🍻 love u paaji ❤️🤗@harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/hKSP4u8WTJ
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 3, 2020
Many happy returns of the day bhajju pa. Hope you have a great year ahead. From meeting you at NCA as a young boy to being your bowling partner in test matches for our country…wonderful memories! @harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/GTbSFENZG6
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) July 3, 2020
.@harbhajan_singh pajhi janamdin diyaan lakh lakh vadhayiaan 🥳 Let's grab a bat and ball and celebrate together once this is all over 😝 pic.twitter.com/4BB6vVulU6
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 3, 2020
Happy birthday bhajju pa @harbhajan_singh wish u lots of health and happiness to u always 🤗
— IamKedar (@JadhavKedar) July 3, 2020
Happy birthday big brother..have a wonderful year..thank you for always being there..love to the family..🤗🤗@harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/yOHINnG8wG
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) July 3, 2020
பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள் happy birthday ஹர்பாஜன் சிங்க் @harbhajan_singh bhajju pa இன்னும் நெறய தமிழ் டிவீட்ஸ் கு நிறைய புன்னகை உடன் வாழ்க வளமுடன் pic.twitter.com/bS4ya8In3O
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) July 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1278934751802466304?s=20
Always reliable as a match winner team mate, very affectionate as an elder brother, happy birthday 🎂 to one and only Singh is King! Fittingly, @harbhajan_singh #HappyBirthdayHarbhajanSingh shares the day with #HappyBirthdayTomCruise 😄 pic.twitter.com/zF3qH6NSmd
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) July 3, 2020
