Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh recalled Team India’s famous home Test series win against Australia. He credited Sourav Ganguly for backing him and said that had the former skipper not backed him he would’ve been sacked as the captain.
Harbhajan is considered as one of India’s best spinners, with 417 Test wickets to his name. Having made his India debut in 1998 as a 17-year-old, the off-spinner made headlines with his terrific performance against Australia in the historic 2001 home series.
Harbhajan got a chance in the side after Anil Kumble was injured. However, he repaid the faith of his skipper Ganguly, who backed him, claiming 32 wickets in 3 Test matches and also took a hat-trick that helped India win the series after losing the first game.
Since then, his career reached new heights as he became part of many historic Indian team victories. This included being part of Team India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Harbhajan Singh recalled the 2001 Test series against Australia. He said that had then skipper Ganguly not backed him as injured Kumble’s replacement, he would have lost his captaincy.
Harbhajan added that the southpaw came as a god for him and held his hand, which helped him in his career to reach newer levels.
“Had Ganguly not backed me, he wouldn't have won that series (2001 vs Australia) and would have been sacked from captaincy. He came like God for me and held my hand and I went on with my job. It helped both my career and his as a captain as he got the extention. He did help me in giving a chance, but then it's upto the player to make it count,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Harbhajan took 711 international wickets in his career spanning 23 years. Known as Turbinator, he ended his career as the fourth-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests and has taken 269 wickets in ODIs to go with 25 T20I wickets.
He was no mug with the bat and scored some crucial runs the bat for his side. He also had two Test centuries to his name.
(Sportskeeda inputs)
