Harbhajan Singh, a former off-spinner for India, has apologized for his rude behavior toward his family after he had a bad game. As he reflected on his cricket career, the icon went on to say that sports should never be seen as the ultimate goal in life.
Harbhajan is perceived as being among the best bowlers who ever played international cricket on behalf of India. Having served a decorated career, he played 365 matches in the three forms of the game where he took 707 wickets at an average of 30.06 with 37 five-wities and eight 10-wicket match packets. Anil Kumble (953) and Ravichandran Ashwin (765) are the only players who have taken more wickets playing as an Indian player.
During his interview on Ashwin’s ‘Kutti Stories with Ash’ podcast, Harbhajan Singh acknowledged that he struggled to reconcile his personal and professional lives, and that his cricketing frustrations spilled over into his family life.
“Sports should be played like sports and it should not be everything in our life. I used to have fights with my wife when things did not go my way on the field or off it. You bring that mood back home. That anger seeps through in our daily conversations at home. What wrong did they do?.”
Harbhajan Singh
“If I look back, there were so many times when I had a bad tour and I did not talk to my family properly after coming back. I regret those moments. That time is gone and I made a mess of it. When my sister came to see me, I didn’t talk to her.”
Harbhajan Singh
He went on to say that family is the most important thing outside of the field, calling cricket a wonderful chapter in his life. The former spinner for India clarified:
“For me, cricket is a beautiful chapter in life, but it is not everything in life, which we sometimes feel. And of course, it was the best part of our life. But, when you have your family, your kids, all these things seem much smaller. All these skirmishes feel like nothing when compared to the lives that we are leading with our families.”
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan is married to Geeta Basra, a former actress. Hinaya Heer Plaha, age 9, and Jovan Veer Singh Plaha, age 4, are the couple’s two children.
Harbhajan Singh had an impressive IPL career as well
Harbhajan made an impression in the IPL in addition to his international successes. During his 163 games, he took 150 wickets at an economy rate of 7.07 and an average of 26.86, including one five-fer and one four-fer.
The ‘Turbanator’ and the Mumbai Indians (MI) won three IPL titles from 2013 to 2017. He was also a member of the 2018 trophy-winning Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team. In the 2021 season, the 45-year-old played for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), capping up his career.
