Harbhajan Singh Announces Retirement: Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh announces retirement from all formats of cricket on December 24, 2021.
Harbhajan Singh Announces Retirement
In a video message on Twitter, the former India off-spinner said that “in many ways, I had already retired”, but because of his commitments with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, he was forced to delay the announcement.
“There comes a time in your life when you must take some tough decisions and move ahead. I have been meaning to make this announcement for the last few years, but I was waiting for the right moment to share it with all of you: today, I am retiring from all formats of cricket,” he said. “In many ways, I had already retired as a cricketer but hadn’t been able to make a formal announcement.
“I haven’t been an active cricketer for a while. But I had a commitment to Kolkata Knight Riders and wanted to spend the (2021) IPL season with them. But during the season itself, I had made up my mind to retire.”
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 .https://t.co/iD6WHU46MU— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 24, 2021
Harbhajan Singh was last featured for India in a T20I against UAE back in 2016 and ever since limited himself to domestic cricket.
India’s finest spinner has 417 wickets to his name in just 103 matches. While picked up 227 wickets in 236 ODI matches. For T20Is, the Turbanator played for India in 28 matches and claimed 25 wickets. Across the 13 seasons in the Indian Premier League, he played 163 matches.
He was part of the winning squad of the 2011 CWC and also the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Wishes from Cricketers
Strong reactions poured in from all cricketing circles. Ex-Team India cricketer VVS Laxman showered immense praise on Harbhajan on having a “remarkable career” and posted
“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!.”
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
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha also congratulated Harbhajan on a splendid career and wrote:
“Congratulations bhajju pa on a splendid career, something that the entire country is proud of. Wishing you the best for the future endeavors. Also, a big thank you for being an inspiration to many budding young spinners. God bless you and the family!.”
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
