Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on Friday. The 41-year-old Harbhajan revealed this news through his official Twitter handle.
The off-spinner made his debut for India back in 1998 and played his last game for the country in 2015 as his cricketing career spanned for around 23 years.
“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,” tweeted Harbhajan Singh.
Harbhajan Singh retirement video message:
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 was forced to delay the retirement announcement owing to his commitments with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
“In many ways, I had already retired as a cricketer, but hadn’t been able to make a formal 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,” Harbhajan Singh said in a video message.
The prominent spinner is the first Indian bowler, who clinched a hat-trick in Test cricket. Harbhajan achieved this feat against Australia on 11 March, 2011 due the second Test at the Eden Gardens.
Harbhajan dismissed Ricky Pointing before sending back Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne to register his name in history books.
Moment which changed my life #Hattrick #Grateful @BCCI 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/8Is0UothJh
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 11, 2021