Harbhajan Singh Announces Retirement – Kohli, Dravid, Tendulkar hails Bhajji: After playing 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, 28 T20Is and 163 IPL matches – the two-time World Cup-winning off-spinner announced his retirement from all forms of the game through a social media post on December 24, Friday. Follow Indian Cricket LIVE news Updates on InsideSport.IN.
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Harbhajan Singh Announces Retirement: VVS Laxman, Sreesanth, cricket fraternity reacts as 41-year-old draws curtain on his stellar career
The 41-year-old last represented India in October 2015 when India when faced South Africa in an ODI in Mumbai. The Punjab-born showcased his skills in IPL until this year and opened the bowling for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in his last professional outing on April 18, 2021 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He won titles with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) before reaching into the finals with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2021.
“All good things come to an end and today as I bid adieu to the game that has given me everything in life, I would like to thank everyone who made this 23-year-long journey beautiful and memorable. My heartfelt thank you Grateful,” he wrote in his tweet.
Harbhajan’s former teammates Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Pragyan Ojha and Sreesanth were few of the first to congratulated him on his stupendous career.
India Test captain Virat Kohli and head coach Rahul Dravid also congratulated Harbhajan Singh in a video message from Centurion, South Africa.
“Bhajju paa a big congratulation on a wonderful career. 711 international wickets is no mean feat and I think you can be very proud of that achievement. It’s a blessing to represent your country and playing for that long and take so many wickets it’s a whole different level together. All the best to you in whatever you do next in life. I hope you are blessed with happiness and peace and a lot of joy with your family,” Virat Kohli said in a video posted by the BCCI.
Further, Rahul Dravid called Harbhajan Singh “one of the greatest performers for India”. He also recalled the moment when he as an 18-year-old Harbhajan in Mohali.
“I have cherished all the moments that we have played together for India and the way you guided me when I came into the team. You really backed me to the hilt. And we share a very good friendship off the field. God bless you, take care,” Kohli added.
“A big congratulations to Bhajji on his absolutely phenomenal career. I remember seeing him as a young 18-year-old in Mohali. And just looking at him, you knew he was a good talent. But from being a good talent to what he has gone on to achieve in the last 23 years has been absolutely phenomenal.
“He had his share of ups and downs, he has had his challenges but he has always come out smiling and always come out fighting. A great competitor and a great team man, someone whom you always wanted to go to battle with. He is a great fighter.
“He is one of those greatest performers for India. To be able to take over 400 wickets and to be a great partner to Anil Kumble and to be part of so many of our great victories, it’s been a pleasure and privilege to have played with him,” Dravid said.
A legend and one of the finest to have ever played the game! 🙌#TeamIndia congratulate @harbhajan_singh on a glorious career 👏👏@imVkohli | @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/iefNrA4r2M
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 24, 2021
Bhajji! 🏏♥️ 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/JSgNHm6z9R
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 24, 2021
Hearty congratulations to my great mate @harbhajan_singh on a remarkable career! A tremendous exponent of off-spin, a gifted batsman and a true competitor who fashioned many a wonderful Indian victory. Best wishes for the future, Bhajji, go well! pic.twitter.com/xEMTpGBru3
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 24, 2021
Congratulations bhajju pa on a splendid career, something that the entire country is proud of. Wishing you the best for the future endeavours. Also a big thank you for being an inspiration to many budding young spinners. God bless you and the family!
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) December 24, 2021
@harbhajan_singh Ur gonna be the one of the best ever played cricket not just for india but in world of cricket..it’s a huge honour to know u and to have played with you b bhajjipa ….will always cherish the lovely hugs( lucky for me ) before my spells ) lots of love and respect pic.twitter.com/5IgYJk4HcD
— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) December 24, 2021
You were a great servant for Indian cricket, Bhajji @harbhajan_singh. Enjoyed every moment playing with you during our IND-A tours. Your contributions will never be forgotten. Good luck for your post retirement life. Hopefully you’ll be involved in the game in some capacity. https://t.co/O77dNlCBj0
— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) December 24, 2021
Congratulations @harbhajan_singh on a phenomenal career with #TeamIndia spanning almost two decades. You played with grit and passion and wore your heart on your sleeve. My best wishes for all your future endeavours. https://t.co/lRiwHbkT6i
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) December 24, 2021
Champion Player. One of the finest the world has seen. Wish you all the best for the second innings… 😊🤗 https://t.co/1WrmKuPnoy
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 24, 2021
Happy Retirement @harbhajan_singh Bhajju paaji 🙌🏻 https://t.co/QINGmQ0DHL
— Navdeep Saini (@navdeepsaini96) December 24, 2021
What a great career @harbhajan_singh. Wonderful to see you flower from a slim, young, talented cricketer to a match-winner. Wish you lots of happiness and satisfaction. You gave your family so much to be proud of https://t.co/QsMjX5eymD
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 24, 2021
More than a truly great player, Bhajju Pa was always a big brother for all the juniors. @harbhajan_singh would make us laugh all the time and was someone who always made the dressing room like our home. Best wishes in your new innings. #harbhajansingh pic.twitter.com/8aNhOYvFDW
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 24, 2021
Bhajju Pa with 711 international wickets has been a legend but he was always been a very humble teammate and inspiration for all the boys who came from the small towns. I am sure your new innings will be as rocking!@harbhajan_singh #harbhajansingh #Bhajj pic.twitter.com/SOlRrrRvXM
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 24, 2021
Your contribution to Indian cricket will always be cherished , @harbhajan_singh paaji wishing you all the best for your future 🙌🇮🇳 https://t.co/QryqQd3557
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 24, 2021
Congratulations @harbhajan_singh for a wonderful career. I remember as a kid watching you take that hattrick against Australia in 2001. Thank you for the great memories Bhajji paa. I wish you best for the journey ahead.
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) December 24, 2021
Congratulations on a wonderful career Pajhi 🤗 Your contribution to cricket has been immense and it was a pleasure to play alongside you 😊 Enjoyed our great moments together on and off the field. Wishing you luck for your next innings @harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/CRtxghzYLv
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) December 24, 2021
A legend of the game and a match winner for our country 🇮🇳 Thank you @harbhajan_singh Paaji for your guidance and helping me with my game. You will be missed. Best wishes 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/JyudeIuKtK
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) December 24, 2021
There was never a dull moment on the field, or in the dressing room, when he was around. Greatest Test win 2001, World T20 title and Wankhede World Cup, Harbhajan always the match-winner. Waiting for your next big announcement Brother. @harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/XlgqYIW8TI
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 25, 2021
Harbhajan Singh Retirement: VVS Laxman, Sreesanth, cricket fraternity reacts as 41-year-old draws curtain on his stellar career
