When celebrations are on, can Harbhajan Singh be far behind? He’s the first one to do an impromptu bhangra on the field.
Turbanator takes his 300th wicket with the scalp of his bunny — Ricky Ponting — on Day 2 of Test 4 in Nagpur
NAGPUR: When celebrations are on, can Harbhajan Singh be far behind? He’s the first one to do an impromptu bhangra on the field. In a game that has been a celebration of Indian cricket greats who reached staggering milestones, Bhajji has been itching to make a mark. For it is the beginning of his life as chief-spinner.
On Friday, he dismissed Ricky Ponting, thereby picking his 300th wicket. And what a delivery it turned out to be. The ball had pitched outside the off stump, turned sharply and bowled Ponting who looked restricted for room. That it was the wicket of the Aussie skipper, would have been sweet like lassi for the Sardar, as he has tormented the Australian, both in the away series last year and here at home. Incidentally, Harbhajan’s 200th wicket was also that of Ponting, whom he has now dismissed for the tenth time.
Anil Kumble, Harbhajan spin partner for a long time, said of Bhajji 300 mark, “I know Harbhajan will go on to become the highest wicket-taker for India.”
Kumble holds the record at present, with 619 wickets from 132 matches. Bhajji has reached the half-way mark. He is only 28. If he has the longevity of Kumble in him, he still has another 10 years to get there. Kumble announced his retirement during the New Delhi Test match last week when he was 38 years old.
However, for Bhajji to be the long race horse will be much harder, considering the personality he is. He has been embroiled in controversy throughout his career — from a suspect action to the monkey-gate and the slap-gate. Bhajji wears his heart on his sleeves but he needn’t look farther than Kumble for guidance. Anil was a true fighter, but all the punches he landed were on the cricket field.
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