Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh paid tribute to Sourav Ganguly, saying that it was the former India captain who handled him and helped him become an off-spinner. Harbhajan announced his retirement on Friday, lifting the curtain from 23-year-long international cricket.
speak later retirement announcement On Friday, Harbhajan said that Ganguly’s support was important to him at an early stage of his career. He credited MS Dhoni for supporting him and using his services well during the later stages of his international career.
The Punjab off-spinner, who made his debut in 1998 under the leadership of Mohammad Azharuddin, grew into a mainstay of the Indian cricket team during Ganguly’s time between 2001 and 2005.
Harbhajan Played 118 matches (including ODIs and Tests) under Ganguly and took 273 wickets at an average of less than 29. It was in 2001 when Harbhajan stepped down in the absence of Anil Kumble and took 32 wickets in 3 Tests against Australia. historic series win
Harbhajan Singh, on the other hand, won the 2007 T20 World Cup under MS Dhoni and was part of the 2011 World Cup winning team. He took 229 wickets in 133 matches for India under Dhoni.
“It’s a simple answer for me. Sourav Ganguly took care of me at that point in my career when I was a ‘no one’. But when Dhoni became the captain, I was a “somebody”. So you need to understand the big difference. ,” Harbhajan told Press Trust of India on Friday.
“Dada (Ganguly) knew I had the skills, but I didn’t know if I would. In Dhoni’s case, he knew I had been there and he did it. He knew I had before him. Matches are won and some will win. For that too.
“In life and in any profession, you need that person who guides you at the right time and Sourav was that person for me. If Sourav had not fought for me and brought me in the team, who knows Today you may not be taking this interview of me. Sourav is the leader who made me who I am.
“But yes, Dhoni was definitely a very good captain and he carried on Sourav’s legacy and with Dhoni, we fought some great battles which I will definitely cherish.”
Best wishes to Ganguly, Jay Shah: Harbhajan
Harbhajan Singh last played for India in 2016. He ended his career with 711 international wickets and continued to play in the Indian Premier League until the 2021 season, finishing as one of the finest spinners in the popular T20 league.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan said that he had spoken to BCCI President Ganguly and President Jay Shah before publicly deciding to retire on Friday.
“Okay, I spoke to BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, who made me a player. I told him about my decision. I also spoke to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and told him about my decision. Both were very welcome And wished me well. In my journey, BCCI played a big role and I am indebted to them.
“I spoke to Akash Ambani, the owner of Mumbai Indians, because the franchise played a big role in my life,” he said.