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Harbhajan Singh Plaha was born on July 3, 1980, in Jalandhar, Punjab, into a middle-class Sikh household, as the only son among five sisters. His father, Sardar Sardev Singh Plaha, operated a ball-bearing factory, and his mother, Avtar Kaur, managed the home. Initially brought up as the heir to the family business, Harbhajan’s destiny shifted dramatically when his father encouraged him to pursue cricket .
His early schooling spanned multiple institutions—including Jai Hind Model School and Parvati Jain High School—highlighting his adaptability and commitment to education. Under coach Charanjit Singh Bhullar, he first honed his batting, but after Bhullar’s untimely death, Harbhajan transitioned to off-spin under Davinder Arora.
From a young age, his drive was clear: morning training at 6 AM, followed by evening sessions until sunset—an early indication of his unyielding work ethic.
Harbhajan brings a potent blend of patriotism, grit, and flair to the cricket field. Nicknamed “Bhajji” and internationally known as “The Turbanator”, he stood out not just for his turban but for his ability to “terminate” batting lineups. His approach emphasized aggressive bowling, emotive celebrations, and an unyielding passion.
Off the field, he evolved from a gym avoider to a fitness enthusiast who follows strict diet plans, sleep routines, and daily workout regimes—often supplemented by abs and stability exercises. As he stated, skipping gym days felt as unnatural as missing a meal . Over time, Harbhajan became disciplined, committed, and deeply invested in longevity.
Moreover, his energetic charisma made him a marketing favorite—ranking just behind Sachin Tendulkar in brand endorsements by 2005.
Harbhajan values his family deeply. After tragic periods—including the passing of his father in 2000—he became the family patriarch at just 20, arranging marriages for his sisters and becoming their sole provider.
On October 29, 2015, he married Bollywood actress Geeta Basra in Jalandhar. The couple have two children: daughter Hinaya Heer (born July 27, 2016) and son Jovan Veer (born July 10, 2021). Despite his fame, Harbhajan has stayed grounded in Punjab’s culture and engages in philanthropy promoting rural sports and child welfare.
Harbhajan’s domestic journey began spectacularly at age 15–16 playing for Punjab Under‑16s in 1995–96. On debut, he took a match-haul of 12 wickets (7/46 & 5/138), instigating a nine-wicket win and finishing with 32 wickets in four games.
Promoted quickly to Under-19s, he excelled with 15 wickets at an average of 20.20 in 1996–97. First-class debut followed in 1997 against Services, showcasing his early promise and adaptability.
He later expanded his domestic experience by playing county cricket: Surrey (2005) and Essex (2012) strengthened his exposure . Meanwhile, his Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy performances for Punjab laid the foundation for his international break-out.
Harbhajan debuted for India in Tests on March 25, 1998, against Australia, and in ODIs on April 17, 1998, in Sharjah versus New Zealand. His first T20I came on December 1, 2006, against South Africa.
His legendary performance in the 2001 Border–Gavaskar Trophy transformed his reputation. He clinched 32 wickets in 3 Tests, including India’s first Test hat-trick at Eden Gardens—dismissing Ponting, Gilchrist, and Warne. This series marked his permanent rise as India’s premier off-spinner.
Here’s a consolidated look at his international records:
| Format | Mat | Wkts | Ave | Best | 5fa | 10ma |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 103 | 417 | 32.46 | 8/84 | 25 | 5 |
| ODI | 236 | 269 | 33.35 | 5/31 | 3 | – |
| T20I | 28 | 25 | 25.32 | 4/12 | 0 | – |
Additionally, he claimed 780 first-class wickets and 393 List A scalps.
2007 T20 WC: Integral to India’s inaugural T20 title, finishing as India’s third-highest wicket-taker.
2011 ODI WC: Took 9 wickets, including 3/53 in the semi-final versus Pakistan, contributing significantly to India’s victory.
In 2003, he played through a finger injury during the World Cup, which needed surgery. Though the treatment was delayed, he continued playing but faced a dip in form until recovery and strengthened return by late 2004.
He also underwent disciplinary issues: suspended for racial comments (Monkeygate) in 2008 and banned for slapping teammate Sreesanth during IPL—events that tested his mental and emotional resilience.
Harbhajan’s IPL legacy is immense:
Overall (2008–2021): Played 163 matches, took 150 wickets, had an average of ~26 and economy of ~7.07.
Mumbai Indians (2008–2017): Central in securing three titles (2013, 2015, 2017), highlighted by 24 wickets in 2013 alone at an impressive economy of 6.51.
Chennai Super Kings (2018–2020): Continued success with 23 wickets in 24 matches and a title in 2018 .
Kolkata Knight Riders (2021): Short stint with fewer appearances .
He also contributed 833 runs with a top score of 64, striking at 137.9, and held 49 catches, showcasing all-around IPL value.
Harbhajan’s career faced several fitness challenges and comebacks:
2003: Played through finger injury, delayed surgery, returned via physiotherapy .
2007-2008: Form dipped; he missed World T20 selection but returned stronger and earned a spot in the 2007-winning squad .
Controversies in 2008 and IPL slapping ban tested his spirit. He later rebuilt himself by focusing on fitness—embracing structured regimes, diet, and psychological balance .
He credits family, the NCA team, coach Bharat Arun, and old mentor Devinder Arora for supporting his mental and technical rehabilitation. His fitness transformation allowed him to remain effective into his late 30s, playing T20s and IPL matches even when many peers retired.
