Harbhajan Singh, India's iconic off-spinner, retired in 2021 after a stellar career featuring over 400 Test wickets. Post-retirement, he remains active as a commentator, entrepreneur, and politician.
Harbhajan Singh stands among India’s most celebrated spin bowlers. Originally from Jalandhar, Punjab, he made his international debut in 1998 and routinely dismissed top-order batsmen during his prime. His career-defining moment arrived in 2001 against Australia, when he stunned the cricketing world by claiming a Test hat-trick out of nowhere. Across his career, he featured in more than 100 Test matches and claimed over 400 wickets in the format. Renowned for turning games in India’s favor, he stepped away from all formats in 2021. Recently, he declared his entry into the World Championship of Legends (WCL). Following his retirement, Harbhajan Singh has built a reputation as a cricket commentator, businessman, and a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Harbhajan Singh carved his legacy during a period when India desperately needed a reliable spinner. He completed his early education in Jalandhar and showed an early passion for cricket. Making his India debut at just 18 years old was a remarkable achievement. His distinctive bowling style helped him accumulate numerous records, including becoming the first Indian to take a Test match hat-trick. His performances earned him a spot in the World Cup squad. Since leaving professional cricket, he has appeared on several reality shows and currently serves as a Rajya Sabha MP. Harbhajan Singh was born into a Sikh family, which is typical in Punjab. Details about his caste remain unavailable. Though he has spent most of his career in the public eye, he has never publicly shared his personal beliefs. His father, Sardar Sardev Singh Plaha, worked as a businessman and actively encouraged Harbhajan to pursue cricket. Sadly, Sardev passed away in 2000, an early and unexpected loss, as Harbhajan had only been representing India for two years at that time. His mother, Avtar Kaur, is a homemaker who consistently supported Harbhajan through highs and lows, pushing him to remain dedicated to the sport. Harbhajan Singh has not disclosed any information about his brother, so verified details are not available. If he shares any updates in the future, this information will be updated accordingly. Sources indicate Harbhajan Singh has five sisters and is their only brother, though only one sister’s name has been made public. That sister is Sandeep Kaur. Any additional details will be shared here as they become available. For the majority of his international career, Harbhajan Singh wore jersey number 3, which became synonymous with his identity. In the IPL, he sported the number 27 for his franchise team. Harbhajan Singh has also been linked with the film industry due to relationship rumors with Geeta Basra, a former British actress. After years of dating, the couple married in 2015 in a lavish ceremony. They now have two children—a daughter and a son. Harbhajan Singh’s international debut occurred in 1998. He delivered strong performances until 2016, after which his form declined and he was omitted from the Indian squad. In 2021, he chose to retire from international cricket. During his peak, he was regarded as one of the most intimidating off-spinners in world cricket. Even after retiring, he stays connected to the game through commentary, league matches, and cricket-related media. Harbhajan Singh has played a pivotal role in securing multiple victories for India. His standout performance came during the 2001 series against Australia. In recognition of his contributions, he has received numerous awards from the Government of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the International Cricket Council. These honors include both civilian distinctions and cricket-specific accolades. Harbhajan Singh is a former Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest off-spinners globally, celebrated for his aggressive bowling and game-changing spells. What is Harbhajan Singh’s age and birthday? Born on 3 July 1980, Harbhajan Singh is 45 years old as of 2025. What is Harbhajan Singh’s height? Harbhajan Singh stands at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters). Who is Harbhajan Singh married to? He is married to Geeta Basra, a former Bollywood actress. They tied the knot in 2015. How many international wickets has Harbhajan Singh taken? Across formats, Harbhajan Singh has taken 417 Test wickets, 269 ODI wickets, and 25 T20I wickets. What is Harbhajan Singh’s net worth and salary? As of 2025, Harbhajan Singh’s estimated net worth is around $10 million (₹85 crore), generated from cricket, endorsements, commentary, and investments. What jersey number does Harbhajan Singh wear? For the majority of his international career, Harbhajan Singh wore jersey number 3 for India. What are Harbhajan Singh’s career achievements? He is the first Indian bowler to claim a Test hat-trick, a two-time World Cup winner (2007 T20 and 2011 ODI), and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009. All images used are for editorial purposes only. License solely with Getty/Source.