Sourav Ganguly the sole reason why I played 100 Tests, backed me the most: Harbhajan Singh

Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has been the country's premier spinner for the major part of the last two decades. The 39-year-old has picked over 700 international wickets across all formats ever since he made his debut in 1998. However, Harbhajan Singh has not played a single international match for India since he last represented the ‘Men in Blue’ in 2016.

ALSO READ | IPL 2020: Murali Kartik reveals why BCCI President Sourav Ganguly did not want him to play for CSK

Harbhajan Singh highlights importance of Sourav Ganguly in his career

Over the years, Harbhajan Singh has played under several captains. The veteran off-spinner made his debut under Mohammad Azharuddin. Then he went on to become a regular member of the Indian team under Sourav Ganguly. He also played under Rahul Dravid and then went on to be a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup-winning campaigns under MS Dhoni. Harbhajan Singh has also played under Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli. In the IPL, he has played under Rohit Sharma during his stint with the Mumbai Indians.

ALSO READ | Sourav Ganguly 'optimistic' about IPL 2020; pens important letter to BCCI affiliates

Recently, Harbhajan Singh was asked which captain has had the most impact on his career on Aakash Chopra's YouTube show ‘Aakash Vani’. The 39-year-old was quick to take current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly's name. Harbhajan Singh said that Sourav Ganguly played a huge role in his career. He added that he was once at a stage in life where he didn’t know who was with him and who was not. Because people on his face were saying that they are with him, but many of them were not actually with him at the time. However, at the time, Sourav Ganguly backed him when he had zero backing.

ALSO READ | BCCI: Sourav Ganguly yet to accept my request for associating with BCCI: Syed Kirmani

Harbhajan Singh further said that the selectors were against him. He added that they told him a lot of things on his face which he cannot disclose. Harbhajan Singh went on to say that no amount of praise would be sufficient for Sourav Ganguly. He also said that if Sourav Ganguly was not the captain at the time, he doesn't know if any other captain could have backed him as much. Bhajji said that if any player has pushed his career the most, it is Sourav Ganguly. He also said that if Sourav Ganguly was not there, he would not have been able to play 100 Tests.

ALSO READ | CSK: R Ashwin reveals importance of 'catching MS Dhoni's eye' to get into CSK side in 2010

IMAGE COURTESY: HARBHAJAN SINGH INSTAGRAM