It has been a great journey, says Bhajji

Chennai: It's been a turbulent 10 years for India's "Turbanator", Harbhajan Singh. The Indian off-spinner, who made his Test debut against Australia in Bangalore on March 25, 1998, will take the field against South Africa today to begin the second decade of his career.

In 63 Tests, Harbhajan Singh had 256 wickets while his 171 one-day Internationals had brought him 189 scalps. His Test exploits include a hat-trick against Steve Waugh's all-conquering Australians, but quite often the Sardar had been in the news for the wrong reasons. In an exclusive chat, "Bhajji" looks back at what had been an extraordinary career so far.

Gulf News: Do you remember anything of that first Test match?

Harbhajan: I think I can remember each and everything from that first Test. Our team was full of stars like Mohammad Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar, Navjyot Singh Sidhu, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath. I was a little scared, did not know exactly how to react!

Who was your first victim?

Greg Blewett. He had tried to defend expecting the turn, but it did not do much and hit the off-stump. I was simply over the moon. It was my 10th ball in Test cricket, so there was good reason to be overjoyed.

How does it feel to complete 10 successful years in international cricket?

It provides a great sense of satisfaction. That I had lasted for a decade is, for me, remarkable. I sincerely thank God for everything.

My heartfelt thanks for those who had stood by me during all those ups and downs in my career. It was a great journey and I had enjoyed every minute of it.

You have 256 wickets to your credit from 63 Test matches. Are you happy with these numbers?

Well, it would have been great to have 300 wickets. But I am happy with what I have got. After all, it is good to have crossed 250 wickets, isn't it?

What would be your greatest moment from these 63 matches...

Every match you win for the country is great. I do cherish all those winning moments, especially in Test matches. It is a wonderful feeling which cannot be described in words. But there is nothing specific...

Any particular wicket or dismissing any batsman that has given you the most satisfaction?

There are quite a few like Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Matthew Hayden and Kevin Pietersen. I had played only one Test match against Aravinda de Silva and I was really over the moon when I got him. He went for a sweep and missed the line.

Then there was Steve Waugh. In 2001, I got him in Kolkata and Chennai.

A total of 32 wickets in a three-Test series and the first Test hat-trick in Kolkata among Indian bowlers ...

Well, as I had said, each victory for the nation was great, so was this one. Moreover, it was against the all-conquering Aussies who were desperate to win a Test series in India.