The Turbanator — India's most successful off-spinner and one of cricket's most controversial figures. From Monkeygate to slapping Sreesanth, Harbhajan was never far from drama.
14 incidents documented
India vs Pakistan
2011-03-30
India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the 2011 World Cup semi-final at Mohali — the most watched cricket match in history, televised to an estimated 988 million viewers globally, with both Prime Ministers watching from the same stand.
Australia vs India
2-6 January 2008
One of the most controversial Tests ever — terrible umpiring decisions, racial abuse allegations, and India threatening to abandon the tour.
Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab
25 April 2008
Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth after an IPL match, leaving Sreesanth in tears on the field. Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the IPL season.
Australia vs India
6 January 2008
Andrew Symonds accused Harbhajan Singh of calling him a 'monkey' during the infamous Sydney Test, triggering one of cricket's biggest racial controversies.
Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab
25 April 2008
Harbhajan Singh was caught on camera slapping Sreesanth after an IPL match, leading to Harbhajan's suspension and a tearful Sreesanth becoming a viral image.
Australia vs India
6 January 2008
Harbhajan Singh was accused of racially abusing Andrew Symonds during the Sydney Test, leading to India threatening to abandon the tour and one of the ugliest diplomatic incidents in cricket history.
Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians
25 April 2008
Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth after an IPL match in 2008, with Sreesanth photographed crying on the field, in one of the most infamous player-on-player incidents in cricket history.
India vs Pakistan
2007-09-24
Pakistan needed 13 off the last over with 3 wickets remaining. MS Dhoni gave the ball to Joginder Sharma — a bowler with no T20 experience — who dismissed Misbah-ul-Haq attempting a scoop shot, giving India the inaugural T20 World Cup in the most dramatic possible finish.
India (internal)
6 October 2005
India coach Greg Chappell's leaked email to the BCCI recommending Ganguly's removal as captain created a massive controversy that split Indian cricket and eventually led to Ganguly being dropped entirely.
Australia vs India
2003-03-23
Ricky Ponting made 140 not out off 121 balls as Australia made 359/2 in the World Cup final — the highest team total in a World Cup final — before bowling India out for 234 to win by 125 runs and complete a second consecutive World Cup triumph.
India vs England
2002-07-13
India needed 146 off 25 overs with 5 wickets down in the NatWest Trophy Final. Mohammed Kaif (87*) and Yuvraj Singh (69) guided India to victory, with Sourav Ganguly memorably removing his shirt on the Lord's balcony to celebrate.
India vs Australia
2001-03-14
Following on 274 runs behind, India were on the brink of a historic innings defeat. VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) added 376 for the 5th wicket to set Australia 384 to win — and Anil Kumble bowled them out for 212, completing the most miraculous comeback in Test history.
India vs Australia
2001-03-11
Harbhajan Singh took India's first Test hat-trick in 67 years — dismissing Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne in the first innings — sparking India's comeback from following on that ultimately won the Test and the series.
Australia vs various
2000-10-29
Between October 1999 and March 2001, Australia won 16 consecutive Test matches — a record that has never been equalled in Test cricket history, representing the most dominant period of Test cricket ever seen by a single team.