India Cricketer Harbhajan Singh Profile

Harbhajan Singh's profile, Harbhajan Singh biography, India Off Spinner Harbhajan Singh, Bhajji, Harbhajan Singh

Name
Harbhajan Singh

Nationality
Indian

Date of Birth3 July 1980, Jalandhar, Punjab

Batting Style
Right Hand Bat

Bowling Style
Right Arm Off Break

Test DebutAgainst Australia at Bangalore in 1997/98

Latest Test
West Indies v India at Kingston - Jun 30-Jul 2, 2006

ODI Debut
Against New Zealand at Sharjah in 1997/98

Latest ODI
India v Australia at Chandigarh - Oct 29, 2006

Achievements

One-Days ( Man of the Match : 3 times )
Batting -Matches: 137 Runs: 667 Avg: 13.61 HS: 46
Bowling -Wkts Taken: 162 Avg: 31.00 Econ: 4.09


Tests ( Man of the Match : 5 times )
Batting - Matches: 57 Runs: 986 Avg: 16.16 HS: 66
Bowling - Wkts Taken: 238 Avg: 29.87 Econ: 2.81


Test debut
India v Australia at Bangalore - Mar 25-28, 1998


ODI debut
India v New Zealand at Sharjah - Apr 17, 1998

Harbhajan Singh Profile:

A player of passion, with talent to match, Harbhajan Singh is India's most successful offspin bowler. Bowling with a windmilling, whiplash action, remodelled after he was reported for throwing, he exercises great command over the ball, has the ability to vary his length and pace, and can turn it the other way too. His main wicket-taking ball, however, is the one that climbs wickedly on the unsuspecting batsman from a good length, forcing him to alter his stroke at the last second. In March 2001, it proved too much for the all-conquering Australians, as Harbhajan collected 32 wickets in three Tests, including the first Test hat-trick by an Indian, while none of his team-mates managed more than three. He has never quite managed to reach those heights again, but he remains an irresistible force on home pitches where he can be unplayable once he manages an opening. Purists might mutter about a lack of loop and flight, but he is very much a product of his times where short boundaries and heavy bats afford little latitude to slow bowlers. His overseas record, despite two five-fors against West Indies in India's last tour there in 2006, remains a worry: he averages nearly 40 per wicket outside India, while at home he averages just over 25. He can be occasionally explosive with the bat and has scored nearly 1000 runs. At 26, he remains the prime candidate to carry on India's rich legacy in spin after the the retirement of Anil Kumble.