New Delhi: Harbhajan Singh is one of the greatest spinners in the history of the game. Despite coming from a humble background, Harbhajan scaled great heights in his glittering career.  A veteran of 236 ODIs and 103 Tests, Harbhajan ruled International cricket for almost a decade.

The Turbanator, as he is fondly called, officially ended his 23-year-long illustrious cricketing career in December last year. Indian cricket fans will always remember Harbhajan’s memorable on-field performances over the years. Harbhajan was instrumental in India winning the inaugural T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup in 2011.

Harbhajan is considered to be one of the bonafide legends of the IPL as he has picked up 150 wickets from 163 matches. The former spinner played for Mumbai Indians for the majority of his time in the league and has also represented Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knightriders before calling time on his career. Alongside CSK, he won one IPL title under MS Dhoni before finishing his time in the IPL with KKR.

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It's easy to argue that Harbhajan's personality had just as much of an impact as his off spin bowling, which is a credit to the volatile Indian who hails from the competitive Ludhiana district of Punjab. His teen years' dismissal from the NCA for lack of discipline is an example of the fire that burned in his belly, though it wasn't always for the correct reasons. Nevertheless, he had a tonne of skills that were regrettably hidden by his off-field troubles. After his 1998 debut, it appeared as though his career was losing momentum. But Sourav Ganguly, India's captain from 2000 to 2005, was unwavering in his support for including the Sardar in the team for the historic home series against Australia in 2001. Harbhajan didn't let his captain down and dominated the series with 32 wickets from three Test matches, including the first hat-trick by an Indian.

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When Anil Kumble was at the height of his abilities at the time, Harbhajan and his senior partner made a devastating spin combination, occasionally even outbowling the veteran. Harbhajan quickly replaced Kumble as the team's primary spinner in ODIs due to his superior attacking skills with the bat and theoretically stronger limited-overs strategy. Kumble was still in charge during the tests, despite the fact that he had to contend with his own conflict. After Kumble retired, it was up to Harbhajan to advance the Indian team's use of spin bowling. He did had his moments, not only at home when he was undoubtedly a strike force but also when he contributed significantly to some of India's illustrious Test victories abroad.

Harbhajan has primarily found success in the IPL in the later half of his career, where he was a key contributor to Mumbai's three IPL championships. Since 2008, he had been a consistent player for the group and had even served as captain. In 2013, he took up as many as 24 wickets and was a key contributor to Mumbai's first season as champions. In 2015, after the top-order had been destroyed, he attempted to win the game by batting a 24-ball 64 against Kings XI Punjab. He was also a highly skilled batsman.

With time, Harbhajan became a bowler who would be more economical than a really good wicket-taking bowler. After a decade long association, Mumbai released him and he was bought by Chennai Super Kings, for whom he played 13 games in 2018. With more favourable turning tracks at Chepauk, Harbhajan has continued to be a force to reckon with, at least in CSK's home games where he has been strangling opponents.

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