Harbhajan Singh, the legendary Indian off-spinner who famously ended Australia’s 15-match winning streak in 2001, is now 45 years old. Despite his glorious career, there was a time when Bhajji almost quit cricket and took up driving trucks to support his family.

Harbhajan made his international debut against Australia in 1998 but was dropped from the team within a year and a half. During this difficult period, his father passed away, forcing Harbhajan to consider quitting cricket to become a truck driver and earn money for his family. It was his elder sister who stopped him, encouraging him to stay focused on cricket. This support changed his fate.

In 2000, Harbhajan shone in domestic cricket, taking 28 wickets in five matches and earned a recall to the Indian team. His true breakthrough came in the 2001 Test series against Australia. After India lost the first Test, Bhajji took 28 wickets in the remaining two matches—including a hat-trick—helping India win the series 2-1 and ending Australia’s winning streak.

• Played 103 Test matches for India, taking 417 wickets.

• Scored 2 centuries and 9 fifties in Tests, amassing 2224 runs.

• Took 269 wickets in 236 ODIs and 25 wickets in 28 T20Is.

• Played 163 IPL matches, claiming 150 wickets.

• Represented India internationally from 1998 to 2016.

Bhajji’s career wasn’t without controversy. The infamous “Monkeygate” scandal in 2007-08 saw him banned for three matches after being accused of racial remarks against Australian Andrew Symonds. The ban was later lifted.

Known as India’s ‘Turbinator,’ Harbhajan’s net worth is estimated at over ₹83 crore. As a long-time member of BCCI’s Grade-A contract, he earned ₹40-50 lakh annually from the board, with an overall yearly income exceeding ₹6 crore. He owns luxury cars and has a lavish bungalow in Jalandhar where he lives with his family, as well as a home in Mumbai. Harbhajan is married to film actress Geeta Basra.