Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who is celebrating his 37th birthday, has without doubt been one of India’s greatest-ever bowlers.
He has 417 Test and 269 ODI wickets to his name, and was memorably part of the Indian team that won the World T20 in 2007 and then the World Cup in 2011 on home soil.
Here, we have a look at some statistical highlights from Harbhajan’s career.
– In 2001, he became the first Indian to take a hat-trick in Test cricket, achieving this feat against Australia in the historic Kolkata Test.
– He is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket (707) behind Anil Kumble (956), and in total, claimed 711 wickets at the international level (including four for Asia XI in 2007).
– The off-spinner is number three in the wicket-taking charts in Test cricket for India, behind Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434).
– As far as IPL action goes – again, Harbhajan is placed at three in the all-time wicket stakes with 127. Only Lasith Malinga (154) and Amit Mishra (134) lie ahead of him.
– He is also the fifth highest wicket-taker for India in one-day international cricket with 265 scalps to his name.
Harbhajan last played international cricket during the 2016 Asia T20 Cup and hasn’t been part of India’s Test and ODI teams since 2015.
At the age of 37, a comeback to the Indian team looks unlikely now but you can never count Harbhajan out.
He's scored 3,569 runs and taken 711 wickets across all three formats for India, happy birthday to @harbhajan_singh! pic.twitter.com/FgKbnmtj8t
— ICC (@ICC) July 3, 2017
Happy birthday little bro, @harbhajan_singh!! Wish you loads of happiness and success. pic.twitter.com/oyxiAYbP8z
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 3, 2017
Wishing you loads of success and happiness over the coming years. Happy birthday, @harbhajan_singh
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) July 3, 2017
Wish you a very happy birthday @harbhajan_singh #SpinLegend
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) July 3, 2017
Warm birthday wishes to @harbhajan_singh 🎂🎂🎉Have a gr8 day and an outstanding year bhajjj😊
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 3, 2017
Hpy B'day @harbhajan_singh
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 3, 2017
Frm thinking of going to Canada & bcum a truck driver to support family,to bcmng 1 of d best bowlers,grt journey pic.twitter.com/o12qAeQmc4
Many many happy returns of the day Bhajji @harbhajan_singh!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 3, 2017
Give my regards to the family and I'm sure you're having a great time! pic.twitter.com/KM1YE3M5AH
Wish you a Happy Birthday Bhajju pa @harbhajan_singh have a wonderful day and year ahead.
— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) July 3, 2017
Wish you a very happy birthday Bhajju pajhi...have a grt one, rabb rakha @harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/oRkwB6NWF5
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 3, 2017
Happy birthday @harbhajan_singh have good one paji.always keep ur sense of humour alive #birthday pic.twitter.com/GFfjyPdDJO
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 3, 2017