Harbhajan Singh announces retirement from all forms of cricket

New Delhi, Dec 24: Veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Friday announced retirement from all forms of cricket.
The 41-year-old took to Twitter, saying, “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.”

Harbhajan also shared a video on his YouTube channel and said that in many “I had already retired”, but due to his commitments with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League, he had to delay the announcement.

“There comes a time in one’s life when difficult decisions are to be taken and move on in life. I have been trying to make an announcement for over some years. Today, I announce retirement from all forms of cricket.

“In many ways, I had already retired as a cricketer but couldn’t announce due to a commitment with KKR. I wanted to stay with them in the IPL season. But during the season itself I’d made up my mind to retire. Like all cricketers I too wanted to bid adieu in cricket jersey but destiny had other plans,” he added.
The off-spinner played 103 Tests, 236 One-Day Internationals and 28 T20Is for India. During his 23-year-long career, he took 417 wickets in the red-ball cricket and 294 wickets in the limited-overs game.

Indian cricketing fraternity heaped praises on Harbhajan Singh after the off-spinner announced his retirement. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, India head coach Rahul Dravid and Test captain Virat Kohli congratulated the Turbanator.
Taking it to Twitter, Tendulkar reminisced his first meeting with Harbhajan and termed it part of “wonderful memories”.
“What a wonderful and fulfilling career, Bhajji! I first met you at India nets in ’95 – over the years, we’ve been

 part of wonderful memories,” Tendulkar tweeted.
“You have been a great team man, playing with all your heart. Both on the field and off it – it is always fun to have you as part of any team. I cannot forget all those moments of laughter.
“You have done your best for India in your long career, we are all very proud of you. Wishing you happiness and success in the ‘doosra’ phase of your career,” the master blaster added.
Dravid, who is in Centurion with the Indian team, too shared Harbhajan’s early days in the nets.
“A big congratulations to Bhajji on his absolutely phenomenal career. Remember seeing him as a young 18-year-old in the nets in Mohali. Just looking at him, you would know that you were looking at a really good talent but what he has really achieved is absolutely phenomenal,” said Dravid in a video posted on BCCI TV.
The chief coach also revealed that Harbhajan had ups and downs in his career but he always came out stronger. Dravid further noted the Jalandhar-born’s best performance, saying it was a privilege to play with him.
“Pleasure and privileged to have the opportunity to play with him. All the best to him for life,” Dravid added.
Kohli looked back on his initial days and said that it was Harbhajan who guided him when he came into the team.
“Bhajji Paa, big congratulations for a wonderful career.
The former India off-spinner Harbhajan made his India debut in 1998 against Australia. He is only the second Indian spinner after Anil Kumble to have played over 100 Tests for India.
The Turbanator also holds the honour of being the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick when he dismissed Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne during the 2001 Kolkata Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
He was adjudged the Player of the Series on four occasions – Australia tour of India 2000-01, West Indies tour of India 2002-03, South Africa tour of India 2007-08, and New Zealand tour of India 2010-11.
Harbhajan was honoured with the national sports award, Arjuna Award in 2003 and the fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri in 2009.