Harbhajan Singh Biography: Records, Career, Net Worth & Life After Cricket

Harbhajan Singh Biography

Harbhajan Singh is one of India’s greatest off-spinners, known for his aggressive bowling, fiery temperament, and match-winning performances. Born on July 3, 1980, in Jalandhar, Punjab, Harbhajan played a crucial role in India’s success in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. His ability to spin the ball sharply and trouble even the best batsmen made him one of the most respected bowlers in international cricket.

Early Life of Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh was born into a Sikh family in Punjab. His father, Sardar Sardev Singh Plaha, initially wanted him to become an engineer, but Harbhajan’s love for cricket took him in a different direction.

He trained under Davinder Arora, his first coach, who played a crucial role in shaping his career. Initially, Harbhajan started as a fast bowler but later switched to off-spin. His impressive performances in domestic cricket soon caught the attention of selectors, and he made his international debut for India in 1998.

International Debut of Harbhajan Singh

• Test Debut: March 25, 1998, vs Australia
• ODI Debut: April 17, 1998, vs New Zealand
• T20I Debut: December 1, 2006, vs South Africa

Harbhajan quickly became a key member of the Indian team, especially in Test cricket, where his sharp turn and aggressive bowling style helped India win crucial matches.

Teams Harbhajan Singh Played In

• India National Cricket Team
• Punjab (Domestic Cricket)
• Mumbai Indians (IPL)
• Chennai Super Kings (IPL)
• Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL)
• Surrey (English County Cricket)
• Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) (IPL)

Records of Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh set numerous records during his international career:

• First Indian bowler to take a Test hat-trick (vs Australia, 2001)
• Second-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket (417 wickets)
• One of only three Indian bowlers to take 400+ Test wickets
• Most wickets by an Indian off-spinner in international cricket
• Part of India’s winning squads in the 2007 T20 World Cup & 2011 ODI World Cup
• Took 32 wickets in the 2001 Test series vs Australia, leading India to a historic win

Awards of Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan’s achievements in cricket earned him several prestigious awards:

• Padma Shri Award (2009) – India’s fourth-highest civilian honor
• Arjuna Award (2003) – Recognizing his outstanding achievements in cricket
• Man of the Series in the 2001 Test series vs Australia
• IPL Winner with Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017) & Chennai Super Kings (2018)

Harbhajan Singh’s Rivalries With Great Batsmen

Harbhajan Singh had intense rivalries with some of the best batsmen in cricket history:

• Ricky Ponting (Australia): Dismissed Ponting multiple times in Tests, leading to heated encounters.
• Matthew Hayden (Australia): Engaged in fierce battles, especially in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
• Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): Known for their on-field confrontations in India-Pakistan matches.
• Kevin Pietersen (England): Pietersen often struggled against Harbhajan’s off-spin in Test matches.

Harbhajan Singh’s Life After Retirement

After retiring from cricket in 2021, Harbhajan Singh transitioned into various new roles:

• Cricket Commentator & Analyst – A regular expert on TV and digital platforms.
• Actor & TV Personality – Featured in Indian films and reality shows.
• Politician – Joined Indian politics and actively participates in social work.
• IPL Mentor & Coach – Works with young spinners in domestic and IPL teams.

Harbhajan Singh’s Wife

Harbhajan Singh is married to Geeta Basra, a Bollywood actress. The couple tied the knot on October 29, 2015, in a grand wedding ceremony in Jalandhar, Punjab.

Geeta Basra made her Bollywood debut in 2006 and appeared in several Hindi films. After marriage, she took a step back from acting to focus on her family. The couple has two children:

• Daughter: Hinaya Heer Plaha, born in 2016
• Son: Jovan Veer Singh Plaha, born in 2021

Geeta and Harbhajan often share glimpses of their family life on social media. She has been a strong support system throughout Harbhajan’s cricketing career and beyond.

Harbhajan Singh’s Charity and Social Work

Harbhajan Singh is actively involved in charity and social initiatives:

• Provides financial aid for underprivileged children’s education.
• Runs the Harbhajan Singh Foundation, supporting young cricketers.
• Donated to COVID-19 relief efforts in India.
• Promotes initiatives for Sikh welfare and rural development.

FAQs About Harbhajan Singh

Q1. What is Harbhajan Singh’s highest bowling performance in a Test match?
A: 15 wickets for 217 runs vs Australia in the 2001 Test series.

Q2. How many wickets did Harbhajan Singh take in international cricket?
A: 711 wickets across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Q3. Did Harbhajan Singh win an IPL title?
A: Yes, he won IPL trophies with Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017) and Chennai Super Kings (2018).

Q4. Is Harbhajan Singh active in cricket after retirement?
A: Yes, he works as a commentator, mentor, and cricket analyst.

Q5. What is Harbhajan Singh’s net worth?
A: Estimated at ₹70+ crore, including earnings from cricket, endorsements, and businesses.

Harbhajan Singh’s Social Media Accounts

Instagram: @harbhajan3
Facebook: Harbhajan Singh
Twitter (X): @harbhajan_singh

Harbhajan Singh remains one of India’s most iconic cricketers, known for his aggressive bowling, passionate celebrations, and never-give-up attitude. His contributions to Indian cricket and his legacy as a fierce competitor will always be remembered.