Harbhajan Singh

The off-spinner who led Mumbai Indians to a Champions League title before joining Chennai Super Kings in 2018.

Harbhajan Singh, born on 3 July 1980, is a former Indian cricketer and current Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. While he played for the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders during his IPL career, his specific tenure with the Chennai Super Kings began in 2018 after a decade with Mumbai. He announced the end of his contract with the CSK on 20 January 2021. Before this move, he was a key figure for the Mumbai Indians, leading them to their first Champions League Twenty20 title as captain and serving as their leading wicket-taker in the 2010 season.

Quick Facts

Born

3 July 1980

Birthplace

Jalandhar, Punjab, India

Party

Bharatiya Janata Party (since 2026)

Other party

Aam Aadmi Party (2022–2026)

Spouse

Geeta Basra, 29 October 2015

Children

Occupation

Cricketer
commentator
actor
politician

Office

Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha

Lore & Background

Harbhajan's journey to the Chennai Super Kings was preceded by a dominant decade with the Mumbai Indians. In the 2010 IPL season, he finished as the team's leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 22.17, helping them reach the final where he opened the bowling but went wicketless. His most celebrated moment came during the 2011 Champions League Twenty20, where he led Mumbai Indians to their first ever championship by 31 runs, earning the man-of-the-match award for his contribution. Although the team faltered in the 2011 IPL playoffs against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, Harbhajan delivered a standout performance earlier that year, taking 5 for 18 against CSK—the best bowling figures by any player at the Wankhede Stadium in the IPL. After falling out of favor with national selectors following injuries, he returned to competitive cricket to captain his team to glory before eventually moving to Chennai.

Reader's Guide

Harbhajan Singh's career is defined by resilience and adaptability across domestic and international formats. He made his first-class debut for Punjab in late 1997 against Services, taking 3/35 before being dropped and recalled after impressive figures of 5/75 and 7/44. His international journey began with a Test debut against Australia in Bangalore where he took 2/136 match figures. He later became a crucial part of India's World Cup winning teams in 2007 (T20) and 2011, as well as the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. In domestic cricket, he was prolific early on; in his Under-16 debut against Haryana, he took 7/46 and 5/138. He also captained the Manipal Tigers to the Legends League Cricket title in 2023. His path included setbacks, such as being expelled from the National Cricket Academy for disciplinary reasons and struggling on tours to Australia where he took 0/141 against Tasmania.

Did You Know?

Harbhajan was the only son of Sardar Sardev Singh Plaha, a freedom fighter who owned a ball bearing and valve factory.
He took 7/46 and 5/138 in his Under-16 debut match against Haryana at age 15 years and 4 months.
Harbhajan was expelled from the National Cricket Academy in mid-2000 on disciplinary grounds after failing to conform to requirements while training under Erapalli Prasanna and Srinivas Venkataraghavan.
In his debut match for Essex against Gloucestershire on 12 July 2012, he conceded 33 runs in 12 overs without taking a wicket.