Through this chapter, we will know important and interesting facts related to Harbhajan Singh such as his personal information, education and career, achievements and honored awards and many more. Important facts related to Harbhajan Singh given in this topic have been collected, which will help you in preparing for competitive exams.

Harbhajan Singh Quick General Knowledge

NameHarbhajan Singh (Harbhajan Singh)
NicknameHarbhajan Singh Plaha / Bhajji, The Turbator
Date of Birth03 July 1980
Birth PlaceJalandhar, Punjab (India)
Monther & Father NameAvatar kaur / Sardar Sardev Singh Plaha
Achievement2001 - First Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket
Profession / Countrymale / Player / India

Harbhajan Singh - First Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket (2001)

Harbhajan Singh is an international cricket player of India. He is also the former captain of the Indian Premier League's Mumbai Indians team and the Punjab State Cricket Team (2012-13). Harbhajan Singh has taken 417 wickets in 103 Tests played for India and 269 wickets in 236 ODIs. Harbhajan Singh made his Test and One Day International (One Day) debut in early 1998.

Harbhajan Singh was born into a Sikh family. He is the only son of Sardar Sardev Singh Plaha, who owns the ball bearings and valve factory. Harbhajan Singh's father's name was Sardar Sardev Singh Plaha and his mother's name is Avatar Kaur. Harbhajan Singh is also known as Bhajji, Paji.
Harbhajan was coached as a batsman by his first coach Charanjit Singh Bhullar, but his coach's untimely death after being converted to spin bowling turned him into the patronage of Davinder Arora. Arora attributed Harbhajan's success to an ethic that included a three-hour training session in the morning, while the afternoon session ran from 3 in the afternoon to sunset.

Harbhajan made a dent in the Punjab Under-16s at the age of 15 years and 4 months in November of the 1995–96 season, winning 7/46 and 5/138 on his nine-wicket debut against Haryana. He scored 56 runs in his next match against Delhi and then scored a resounding victory in his third match against Himachal Pradesh, scoring 11/79. He finished with 32 wickets at 15.15 and scored 96 runs in four matches at 48.00. He was rewarded with selection for the North Zone Under-16s, a team that represents the entire North India for the one-day series in which he took two wickets at 43.50 in four matches and scored 18 runs.

At the end of the season, he was called into the national under-19 team at the age of 15 and 9 months. In 1996–97, Harbhajan was promoted to the Punjab Under-19s and took 15 wickets at 20.20 from three matches, though he managed only two runs off the bat. This included match figures of 8/54 in an innings victory over Jammu and Kashmir. During the 1997–98 Ranji Trophy season, Harbhajan made his first-class debut against Services in late 1997. Harbhajan's season was interrupted when he represented India in 19 World Cups. He was one of the most economical bowlers of the competition, and won the match award against Punjab by 1/9 in four overs. He went on to play IPL 2012 which was not as successful for him, but took his team to the semi-finals as captain.


He was awarded the "Arjuna Award" for his contribution to cricket in 2003. In 2009, he was also awarded the Padma Shri. Harbhajan's performance earned him public acclaim and attractive sponsorship. After his demonstration against Australia in 2001, the Punjab government offered him ₹ 5 lakh, a plot of land, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police position in the Punjab Police, which he accepted.
YearAwards/HonorsAwarding Country or Institution
1994Arjuna AwardIndian government
1997Rajiv Gandhi Khel RatnaIndian government
1999Padma ShriIndian government
2001Maharashtra Bhushan AwardGovernment of Maharashtra
2008Padma VibhushanIndian government
2014Bharat RatnaIndian government
1997Wisden Cricketer of the YearWisden Cricketers Almanac
1998Wisden leading cricketer in the worldWisden Cricketers Almanac
2010Wisden leading cricketer in the worldWisden Cricketers Almanac
2003Player of the tournament in cricket world cupInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2004ICC World ODI XIInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2007ICC World ODI XIInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2010ICC World ODI XIInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2006Polly Umrigar Award for International CricketerInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2009Polly Umrigar Award for International CricketerInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2009ICC World Test XIInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2010ICC World Test XIInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2011ICC World Test XIInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2010People's Choice AwardAsian Awards Ceremony
2010The asian awardsAsian Awards Ceremony
2010Sir garfield sobers trophy of the yearInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2010LG People's Choice AwardInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
2010An honorary group captain was made by the Indian Air Force.Indian Air Force
2011Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year AwardCricket council of india
2012Wisden India Outstanding Achievement AwardIndia
2012Honorary Member of the Order of AustraliaAustralian Government
2014ESPN Cricinfo Cricketer of the GenerationESPNcricinfo
2017Asian Award Fellowship Award at 7th Asian AwardsAsian Awards Ceremony
2019Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of FameCricket council of india
2020Laureus World Sports Award for Best Sporting MomentLaureus Sport for Good Foundation