Harbhajan Singh Reaches 400 Wickets...!!!!!
By balu_maris
@balu_maris (240)
India
July 8, 2011 5:52am CST
Dear All,
Harbhajan Singh made history by reaching 400 wickets.... Honestly, I did not realize that he had taken that many wickets. I mean.... I am sure that I would not be the only person who would have been at least a little surprised to know that he has taken 400 wickets at test level. It is by no means a small feat. He is India's 3rd highest wicket taker after Kumble and Kapil.
Coming to think about it, should one be surprised at all at his achievement??? May it is because he has gone through so many highs and lows in his career. A big criticism about him has been that he has never done justice to his talent. It says so when one looks at his stats.But then, generally stats can be deceiving, but in Bhajji's case it is true. His over all figures, even though impressive (400 wickets form 96 matches at an average of 31), when compared to other spinners might not stand out. He has not been the "Turbanator", that the Australians named him. Yes he has been successful against the Aussies, but his record recently against other countries shows that he is going through lean phase. May be it is a confidence issue. What I can say is that when a confident Harbhajan bowls, he can run through any batting line up. But what is heartening to see is that, Harbhajan's batting has improved by leaps and bounds. His two centuries against Neazealland is a testimony to that.
But the bottom line is, all said and done, he is India, highest wicket taking Off spinner, Second highest wicket taking Off spinner and India's Second highest wicket taking spinner, and the third highest wicket taker for India of all times.He is also the first Indian bowler to take a hat- trick in tests. He has never been the one who has taken a back step. This attitude of his has often got him into trouble (Ask Sreesanth :D)and also won India a lot of matches.
In the end Harbhajan is what he is. An interesting character. It is best that he remains the way he is. He has been a servant to Indian Cricket of the highest order, a valuable addition to cricket itself. Cricket lovers congratulates Harbhajan on reaching 400 wickets, and wishes that he comes back into his "TURBANATOR" self...!!!
Share your views...
Balu
1 person likes this
5 responses
@keenan_savio (416)
• India
9 Jul 11
A great milestone to achieve for any bowler and surely Harbhajan Singh will be proud of his achievements. He has played a good number of test matches for India and over the past years has improved as a bolwer and done India proud even with the bat. At the moment Harbhajan is India's third highest wicket taker and considering that he has a lot of cricket left in him, he will surely go on one day may be to become India's most successful bowler in test cricket.
There are those times when he has not been up to the mark and performed below his best but we must understand that every individual goes through ups and downs and once they have learnt from their mistakes they come back as stronger individuals with better performances. So Congratulations to Bhajji once again and may he do India proud and go on to pick up many more wickets..
@balu_maris (240)
• India
11 Jul 11
Dear Keenan,
I agree with you. A great achievement for any bowler. Congratulations to Harbhajan Singh (Singh is King..!!!!). I hope that Harbhajan has a few years left in him and a lot more wickets left for him to take. I sincerely hope that Harbhajan goes on to become at least the highest wicket taker for India before he retires...!!!
Share your views...!!!
Balu
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
9 Jul 11
It is a fantastic achievement from the Turbanator. After the 2 Ks - Kapil and Kumble, he becomes the third Indian bowler to reach this milestone. Hopefully he still has a lot of cricket in him to add a few more milestones as he goes forward. In the meanwhile now he has to take up the spearhead role of this young spin attack. For too long he has been a good follow up act to Kumble, but now it is time for him to become the main act.
Cheers!
Ram
1 person likes this
@balu_maris (240)
• India
11 Jul 11
Dear Ram,
Yes, your are correct. Most of the wickets he has taken, he has taken under the shadow of Kumble. He was not heading the spin attack then. Now his duties as a spin spear head is different. It is high time that he came out of Kumble's shadow. Let us hope that he can perform well as the leader...!!!!
Share your views...
Balu
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
8 Jul 11
Hi balu,
Reaching four hundred wickets in Test cricket is not a joke. In my view by this time he should have 500 wickets but the problem is with him is that when he is out of form he is out of form for a long time.
Some time I feel why Harbhajan is still there the answer is not easy to produce. After Kumble;s retirement a big gulf gulf has
Actually I have lost all interest in cricket now for the controversy, corruption, nepotism, issue of funds and all.
I rather love to watch games where matches are still not so contaminated.
@balu_maris (240)
• India
11 Jul 11
Dear Krajibg,
You seem to be having mixed emotions...!!!! The game is still not gone out of hand....!!! Keep faith.
Share your views...
Balu
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
16 Jul 11
I remember for his wicket taking ability and also his runs on occasions. more or less an all rounder in my view.