Flashback: The only Indian player to pick 7-fors in successive Tests
Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh can be considered one of the most talented spinners to represent India at the highest level. Harbhajan finished his career after bagging 417 wickets in 103 Tests, 269 wickets in 236 ODIs, and 25 wickets in 28 T20Is. However, one of his most memorable performances came against the mighty Australians.
In the 2001 series against Australia, the home side lost the first match in Mumbai, but owing to some excellent bowling skills from the veteran off-spinner India staged a remarkable comeback in the next two matches to win the series 2-1.
After losing the first match, team India was taking on Australia in Kolkata. The visitors won the toss and opted to have a bat first. Australia was 252/4 before the veteran spinner strangled the Aussie batters including Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne to register a hat-trick. Harbhajan also scalped the wickets of Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh, and Jason Gillespie to complete an excellent seven-wicket haul in the first.
After an excellent batting partnership between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, India made a strong comeback in the match. However, the final nail in the coffin was yet again provided by Harbhajan as he scalped six wickets in the second inning. As a result, the home side won that contest by 171 runs and level the series.
Coming to the series decider in Chennai, Harbhajan Singh was yet again the main contributor for his side as he grabbed another seven-wicket haul during Australia’s first inning. He took the wickets of Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, and Colin Miller.
However, the veteran was done with the mighty Australians as he grabbed another eight wickets during the visitors’ second innings. The home side faced some trouble to chase a 150+ score during their second innings, but they eventually went on to win the match by two wickets and grab the series.
The off-spinner was adjudged Player of the Match for grabbing 15 wickets to his name in the third match and was also named the Player of the Series as he scalped 32 wickets.
