India's head coach Rahul Dravid congratulated Harbhajan Singh on a successful career as he announced retirement from all forms of the game on Friday (December 24). Dravid has played alongside Harbhajan and he called it a privilege to share the dressing room with him.
In a video posted by BCCI on Twitter, Dravid also recalled seeing Harbhajan bowling in the nets in Mohali which gave him an idea of how the then 18-year-old spinner's talent.
"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," he said.
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Dravid called the Test series against Australia at home in 2001 the highlight of Harbhajan's cricket career. The offie had bagged 32 wickets in three matches with an average of 17.03. Glenn McGrath was the second-highest wicket-taker of the series with 17 wickets.
"His career had its share of ups and downs and he faced many challenges but he always came out fighting and smiling. A great competitor, a great team man, and someone you always want to go and battle with. A great performer for India to take over 400 wickets. Pleasure and privileged to have the opportunity to play with him.
"The highlight of Bhajji's career would be the Australia series where he took 32 wickets and just to see the way he came back, as he was dropped from the team and the way he performed in the absence of Anil Kumble is phenomenal. All the best to him for life," he added.
India's Test captain Virat Kohli also congratulated Harbhajan on an illustrious career and thanked him for backing him during the initial phase of his career. "Bhajji Paa, big congratulations for a wonderful career. 711 international wickets is no mean feat and I think you can be very proud of that achievement.
"It's a blessing to represent your country but being able to perform for that long with so many wickets, it's a completely different thing. I hope you are blessed with happiness and peace and spend a lot of time with family," said Kohli.
Although Harbhajan played his last game for India against UAE in the 2016 Asia Cup, he was active in the Indian Premier League.
