Xtra Time Web Desk: It has been twenty-one years since Harbhajan Singh claimed his hat trick in the 2001 series against Australia when Anil Kumble’s injury furnished Harbhajan Singh a rare break. He grabbed it with both hands taking 32 wickets, including a hat-trick in the series as India halted Australia’s 16-match winning streak to win the series 2-1.
It was just the start of a fruitful career that saw him claim 417 Test wickets, and 269 ODI wickets, besides winning the T20I as well as the 2011 World Cups.
The series turned out to be a career-changing one for the Jalandhar born spinner. In the second Test at Eden Gardens, the Turbanator bagged a hat-trick, a first Indian to achieve the rare feat.
Harbhajan ended up with 13 wickets in the match and Indian won the Test by 171 runs after Australia enforced the follow on.
Australia scored 445 in the first innings, courtesy of a century from captain Steve Waugh (10) and his gritty 133-run stand with Jason Gillespie (46). In reply, India got bundled out for a paltry 171 and were staring at a heavy defeat.