Harbhajan Singh's debut in International Cricket

Harbhajan Singh is one of the most successful off-spinners of all time with over 700 International wickets to his name and his debut was against his nemesis Australia. He is the only second Indian and first in Test Cricket to take a hat-trick in an International match. He is a modern day bowler with all kind of variations in his armory. He was always an attacking bowler looking to take wickets and has always played the game with full of passion and enthusiasm. Despite not being one of the very agile and athletic fielders, his efforts on the field shows his passion towards the game. His restless approach to excel makes him brillliant. If you have watched him bowling and playing even in his average days you will surely be a fan of him.

Bhajji was a very talented bowler from a very early age, I remember once Siddhu recalling how once on nets he was batting and hitting big sixes against all domestic and local bowlers but this 16-17 old boy never allowed him to get under the ball even in nets, such was his talent.

Bhajji took 12 wickets in his first game for Punjab U-16, He got a call for India U-19 before he could even celebrate his 16th birthday. After an impressive show in his debut Ranji season he was selected for the Duleep Trophy. He represented India in the 1998 U-19 World Cup.

After all the wonderful domestic performances he was picked for the third Test against Australia and he made his debut on March 25 1998 where he picked up only 2 wickets. Thereafter he was consistently in and out of the team, but in 2001 an injury to Anil Kumble gave him a chance to be the lead spinner for the team, and 32 wickets in 3 matches changed his fortunes. He picked up a hat-trick as well in the series to give a historic series win for India.

After the Australia series he became a regular part of the team, he was the leading spinner for India in the 2003 World Cup where India reached final, 2007 World T20 and the 2011 World Cup which India won. But after the injury he sustained in 2011 during the England tour, he is still struggling to force his way back in to the Indian team.