Why Harbhajan Singh Is Known As ‘The Turbanator’ In Cricket?

Harbhajan Singh, fondly known as the “Turbanator,” is a former Indian cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest off-spin bowlers of all time.

His illustrious career spanned 18 years, during which he represented India in 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20Is, taking a total of 707 wickets.

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Harbhajan’s rise to fame came during the historic 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 32 wickets at an average of 17.03. In the second Test in Kolkata, he became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.

The Turbanator’s ability to vary his length and pace, coupled with his whippy bowling action, made him a formidable opponent for batsmen. He was known for his ball control and ability to climb wickedly on unsuspecting batsmen from a good length, forcing them to alter their strokes at the last second.

Harbhajan’s success extended beyond his bowling prowess. He was also a handy lower-order batter, scoring two centuries in Tests with a top score of 115. In a three-match Test series against New Zealand in 2010, he finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer with 315 runs at an average of 105, including two hundred and a fifty.

Off the field, Harbhajan has ventured into various other pursuits. He has appeared in several Bollywood films, including “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi,” “Victory,” and “Second Hand Husband”. He has also been a contestant and judge on various television shows, such as “Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena,” “Ring Ka King,” and “Mazaak Mazaak Mein”.

In March 2022, Harbhajan was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Aam Aadmi Party as one of their five candidates from the state of Punjab. He won unopposed and was officially elected as a Member of Parliament.

Harbhajan’s impact on Indian cricket is undeniable. He was a key member of the Indian teams that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup, as well as the joint-winners with Sri Lanka in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. His leadership skills were also on display when he captained the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise to their first-ever Champions League triumph in 2011.

Harbhajan Singh’s legacy as the “Turbanator” remains etched in the hearts of cricket fans worldwide. His remarkable achievements on the field and his versatility off the field have cemented his place as one of the most iconic cricketers in Indian history.

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