Dubai: Kolkata Knight Riders off-spinner Harbhajan Singh seemed to confirm that his playing days might be behind him. Singh also hinted about the possibility of taking up a coaching role after ending his career as a player.
Harbhajan remains one of the greatest spinners India have ever produced. In his international career for Team India, the 41 year old picked up 711 wickets with 28 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls. He was no other with the bat either, having scored two centuries and nine half-centuries with a top score of 115. He is also the first Indian bowler to pick up a hat-trick in Test cricket. He achieved the feat against Australia at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, back in 2001.
“Don’t know if I’m going to play further but enjoying my time in KKR. Yeah obviously I’ll take up the role of a coach or a mentor in the future,” Singh was quoted saying to Cricket.Com.
On being asked whether he would take up a coaching or a mentor role in future, he said “Cricket has been the biggest thing that happened to me, I would like to serve Indian cricket in whatever way I can. Whether it’s coaching or a mentor, I’d be more than happy to do the needful and help the team.”
Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon, a renowned university in France, has conferred veteran Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh with an honorary Ph.D. in Sports in a convocation ceremony on Friday. The 41-year-old couldn’t attend the ceremony since he is in the UAE for the IPL 2021 season, where he is representing KKR, but Singh stated that he was honored after receiving the degree.
“If any institution accords respect, you accept that with utmost humility. If I have been conferred with honorary sports doctorate by the university, it is because I played cricket and people have showered their love and affection for that. I am honored to be conferred with the degree,” Harbhajan added.
KKR registered a 86 run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Thursday. KKR along with Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore have qualified for the playoffs this season. In IPL 2021, Harbhajan has only played three matches for KKR so far.
