Harbhajan Singh retirement: Ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auctions, former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has decided to call it quits from all formats of cricket. He will be seen in a different avatar during IPL 2022 as a key member of the support staff in one of the high-profile franchises.
The 41-year-old Harbhajan Singh, who featured in a few matches during the first phase of in IPL 2021 for Kolkata Knight Riders, didn’t play a game in the UAE leg of the league.
Harbhajan Singh retirement: Four-time IPL champion Harbhajan Singh to hang his boots, all set to don coaching role in IPL 2022
It is expected that sometime next week Harbhajan Singh will officially announce his retirement from competitive cricket and after that he is expected to decide on one the offers he has got to be a part of the support staff of at least a couple of franchises.
Harbhajan Singh retirement: Four-time IPL champion Harbhajan Singh to hang his boots, all set to don coaching role in IPL 2022
“The role could be that of a consultant, mentor or part of the advisory group but the franchise with which he is talking are keen to use his vast experience. He will take active part in also helping the franchise decide on their auction picks,” an IPL source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Harbhajan has always shown keen interest in grooming players and that was also his role in the later years with Mumbai Indians where he spent a fruitful decade.
In fact, in the KKR last year, Harbhajan spent a lot of time guiding Varun Chakravarthy, who has been an integral part of the franchise for the last two seasons.
Harbhajan Singh retirement: Four-time IPL champion Harbhajan Singh to hang his boots, all set to don coaching role in IPL 2022
Venkatesh Iyer, the find of last IPL, had earlier revealed that it was Harbhajan who had told him after a few net sessions that he will be a big hit in the league even before he had played a single game.
In fact, during the last season, KKR’s chief coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Eoin Morgan also paid heed to Harbhajan’s advice in team selection matters.
“Look, Harbhajan wanted to make a formal announcement of his retirement after the season is over. He has had extended talks with one of the franchises which has shown keen interest but he would like to talk about it only when the deal is formally inked,” the source said.
Harbhajan Singh retirement: Four-time IPL champion Harbhajan Singh to hang his boots, all set to don coaching role in IPL 2022
Harbhajan Singh is one of India’s finest spinners to have ever played the game and was part of the World Cup-winning squads in 2007 and 2011. Bhajji is the fourth-highest wicket-taker for India in test cricket, behind only Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and Ravichandran Ashwin. In ODIs, he has picked up a further 265 wickets in 234 games, and an additional 25 wickets in 28 T20Is.
In the IPL, he is the fifth-highest wicket-taker with 150 wickets and has bowled the most dot balls in the history of the league. He has two Test hundreds to his name, while also has an IPL fifty under his belt. Harbhajan Singh won three titles with the Mumbai Indians, before adding another one to his kitty with Chennai Super Kings.
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