Harbhajan Singh has announced his retirement from all sorts of sports

Harbhajan Singh, one of India's most successful bowlers, has announced his retirement from all formats of the game after 23 years in the game. In his career, the 41-year-old from Jalandhar played 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20s for Team India.

"All good things come to an end and today as I bid adieu to the game that has given me everything in life, I would like to thank everyone who made this 23-year-long journey beautiful and memorable. My heartfelt thank you. Grateful," Harbhajan wrote in a Twitter post on Friday (December 24).

Harbhajan Singh, who debuted in 1998, finished his career with 417 Test wickets and 269 ODI scalps. The off-spinner was a member of India's victorious teams in the 2011 50-over World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup.

"Whenever I have worn Indian jersey and stepped on the field, there has been no bigger motivation for me. But there are points in life when you have to take some hard decisions. I was planning to make an announcement for the last few years and today I announce my retirement from all forms of the game," Harbhajan said in a video message.

"I had been away from active cricket for some time now. But I couldn't officially announce my retirement due to my commitment to the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, during IPL 2021 I had made up my mind that I will announce my retirement at the end of this season. 

"Like all cricketers, I want to big adieu to cricket in an India jersey. But destiny had something else in store for me. Whichever team I have played for, I have given my 100 per cent to make sure my team finished at the top. Whether it was Team India, Punjab Ranji team, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Surrey or Essex county," the genial off-spinner added.

Harbhajan Singh made his India debut in an ODI against New Zealand in Sharjah in 1998 and last played for the country in a T20I against the UAE in Dhaka in March 2016.

One of the most remarkable events of his international career came in March 2001, when he took 32 wickets in three Tests against Australia, including the first Test hat-trick by an Indian.

Bhajji finished his career with 150 IPL wickets in 163 games for MI, CSK, and KKR. Harbhajan Singh took 16 wickets in 11 games for Chennai Super Kings under MS Dhoni in the 2019 IPL season.

"The greatest moment of joy in my cricket career was when I picked up a hat-trick at the Eden Gardens against Australia. That achievement gave me the most happiness as I became the first Indian bowler to pick up a hat-trick in Test cricket," Harbhajan said.