One of the most successful off-spinners of all-time, Harbhajan Singh celebrates his 40th birthday on July 3. In an illustrious 22-year-long celebrated career, Harbhajan has been a part of two World Cup-winning teams. The offie playওed a crucial role in the 2007 T20 World Cup triumph and 2011 ODI World Cup victory under the leadership of MS Dhoni.
Harbhajan is India’s third-leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. He has 417 wickets to his name in 103 matches, and is only behind Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434). Bhajji is also the first Indian to pick a Test hat-trick. He achieved the feat against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001.
When it comes to white-ball cricket, Harbhajan has impressive figures there as well. The Turbaꦺnator has taken 269 ODI wickets in 236 matches and 25 T20I wickets in 28 games. As he turns 40 on Friday, wishes have been pouring in for the legendary spinner.
Indian captain Virat Kohli wrote a lovely message for his senior teammate on Twitter. He said: “Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Bhajju Paa @harbhajan_singh. May God bless you with good health and happiness. Have a great year ahead.”
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Bhajju Paa . Ma🐈y God bless you with good health and happiness. Have a g🐽reat year ahead. 😊🎂
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli)
Harbhajan’s oldest and dearest friend, Yuvraj Singh posted a heartw🅘arming video featuring glimpses of the time and golden memories the duo has experi🦩enced on and off the field. Yuvi also asked his friend that once quarantine gets over, he wants a beer party.
“Is it your happy 40 or 47 Zany face Here’s a glimpse of the wonderful years spent together pulling each other’s leg, sometimes pants too Rolling on the floor laughing U have always proved to the world Singh u will always be King Crown After quarantine party to leni hai 100% Clinking beer mugs love u paaji Red heartHugging face. @harbhajan_singh,” tweeted Yuvraj.
//twitter.com/YUVSTRONG12/stat𒉰us/1278919062534254593
Harbhajan’s former teammate Mohammad Kaif recalled the days when he first noticed the Punjabi spin bowler. Kaif termed the Jalandhar-born as one of India’s greatest match-winners.
“Bhajji ‘turns’ 40! One of India’s greatest match-winners. Two-time WC winner & picked 711 wickets for India. First saw him in U-16 game in Panaji in 1996 & he looked special. Aggressive on the field but yaaron ka yaar. Janamdin ki dher saari shubhkaamnaaein @harbhajan_singh,” Kaif wrote on Twitter.
Bhajji ‘turns’ 40! One of India’s greatest match-winners. Two-time WC winner & picked 711 wickets for India. First saw him in U-🦋16 game in Panaji in 1996 & he looked special. Aggressive on𓂃 the field but yaaron ka yaar. Janamdin ki dher saari shubhkaamnaaein
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Here are some other tweets:
//twitter.com/ImRaina/status/1278920848863137792
Happy birthday big brother..have a wonderful year..thank you for always being there..love to t🎃he family..🤗🤗
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9)
Happy birthday Bhajjipa. First Indian to take a hat-trick in Tests
– Took 32 wickets in 3 Tests v Australia in 2001
Part of WT20 2007 & WC 2011 winning teams
Won 4 IPL titles ..the most loving personality around..great inspiration ✌🏻
Still going strong at 40!— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36)
Wishing a very very Happy Birthday. May you experience joy and continue to share it with pe𒀰ople around you. Have a great day and a fabulous year ahead.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਭਜੀ।
ਤੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ 40ਵੇਂ ਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀ 40 ਪਾਰਟੀਆਂ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ।
ਖੁਸ਼ ਰੇ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ।Have a good one my friend!
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Wishi𒁏ng paaji a very happy birthday. May god bless you with great health and happi♒ness. 😊
— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh)
Jiski off spin ke aage ba💜de bade lachaar, team India ka sabse damdaar sardar!
Happy Birthdꦫay ! Wish you a very long & prosperous life!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir)
Always reliable as a match winner team mate, very affectioไnate as an elder brother, happy birthday 🎂 to one and only Singh is King! Fittingly, shares 🌟the day with 😄
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
Many happy returns of the day bhajju pa. Hope you have a great year ahead. From meeting you at NCA as a young boy to being your bowling partner in test matches for our country…wonderful memories!
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha)
A very happy birthday to one of the gre🐎atest spinners of all time 💧and a legend indeed! Have a great one Bhajji Paji
— Bhuvneshwar Kumar (@BhuviOfficial)
Happy Birthday to the person who is always there to give advice.
Have a good one Bhajji Paa 🤗— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal)
