A higher power watches over me when I play at Eden Gardens, says Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh took India's first hat-trick in Tests at Eden Gardens in 2001 vs Australia.

Harbhajan SIngh celebrates the fall of Ricky Ponting | GettyIndian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who has 700 international wickets to his name has been a match-winner for India at various venues across the globe. But the one ground that holds a special place in the bowler’s heart is the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

In seven matches the right-arm spinner has played at this venue, he picked 46 wickets win an average of 21.76 with six five-wicket hauls along with a sole 10-wicket haul.

Harbhajan’s journey began after he picked a hat-trick against the Aussies in 2001 Border-Gavaskar trophy and became the first Indian bowler to do so in the longest format of the game.

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While talking to KKR.in, the veteran off-spinner who plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) said that he has a special connection with the City of Joy, Kolkata. He believes some divine power watches over him whenever he plays at the Eden Gardens.

I believe there is some higher power that watches over me when I play any match at Eden Gardens. Only a select few have been showered with the blessings of doing so well in the city of Kolkata, and I’m one of its favourite sons. I’m really glad I got my hat-trick for India at Eden Gardens,” Singh was quoted as saying.

The 40-year-old who registered his best bowling figures 7/87 at Eden Gardens against the Proteas in 2004, was also the highest wicket-taker against Australia in 2001 with 32 wickets to his name. In IPL 2021, the off-spinner represented KKR in three-matches but was unable to pick any wicket.

(With KKR.in Inputs)

 
 

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 04 Jun, 2021

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