Harbhajan Singh is a former Indian cricketer, now a politician, film actor, television celebrity, and cricket commentator. He served as a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha, representing the Aam Aadmi Party.
As a cricketer, Harbhajan played for the Indian national cricket team from 1998 to 2016, primarily as a right-arm off-spin bowler. He also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Here we have Harbhajan Singh’s net worth, career earnings, achievements, biography, wife, and more.
About Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh was born on July 3, 1980, in Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
Cricket Career
Harbhajan Singh played for the Indian national cricket team from 1998 to 2016 as a right-arm off-spin bowler. He made his Test debut against Australia on March 25, 1998, and his last Test was against Sri Lanka on August 12, 2015.
His One Day International (ODI) debut was against New Zealand on April 17, 1998, and his last ODI was against South Africa on October 25, 2015.
He also played Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) for India, making his debut on December 1, 2006, against South Africa and playing his last T20I on March 4, 2016, against the United Arab Emirates.
In domestic cricket, Harbhajan represented the Punjab cricket team. He also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders. He was instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ maiden title-winning season in 2013.
Harbhajan was part of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup in 2011. He was the first Indian off-spinner to take 400 Test wickets and is considered one of the greatest spinners in cricket history.
Political Career
After retiring from cricket, Harbhajan entered politics. He was announced as the Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections from Punjab in 2022.
Acting and Television Career
Harbhajan has also ventured into acting and television hosting. He has acted in films like “Friendship” (2021), “Dikkiloona” (2021), and “Thiruvalluvar Consultancy Services” (2020).
He has made appearances in TV shows like “The Kapil Sharma Show” and “MTV Roadies”. In 2021, he hosted a trivia-based show on Zee5, “Punjabiya di Dadagiri”.
Commentary and Other Roles
Post-retirement, Harbhajan has also been involved in cricket commentary for various broadcasters and media outlets like Star Sports, Sports Tak, Sportskeeda, and Zee.
Harbhajan Singh’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Harbhajan Singh’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million, which is approximately INR 70 crores.
His income primarily stems from his cricket career, political career, broadcasting deals, and endorsement deals.
The following table shows his estimated net worth growth over the years.
| Year | Estimated Net Worth (USD) | Estimated Net Worth (INR) |
| 2021 | $7.1 million | ₹50 crores |
| 2022 | $8.4 million | ₹60 crores |
| 2023 | $10 million | ₹70 crores |
Income and Career Earnings
During his cricket career, Harbhajan Singh played for the Indian national team and in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Over the 14 years of his IPL career, he earned more than INR 58 crores.
His annual salary is estimated to be around INR 6 crores.
IPL Salary
Harbhajan Singh’s IPL salary over the years:
| Year | Team | Salary (INR) |
| 2008 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 34,000,000 |
| 2009 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 34,000,000 |
| 2010 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 34,000,000 |
| 2011 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 59,800,000 |
| 2012 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 59,800,000 |
| 2013 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 59,800,000 |
| 2014 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 55,000,000 |
| 2015 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 55,000,000 |
| 2016 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 55,000,000 |
| 2017 | Mumbai Indians | ₹ 55,000,000 |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹ 20,000,000 |
| 2019 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹ 20,000,000 |
| 2020 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹ 20,000,000 |
| 2021 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹ 20,000,000 |
| Total | ₹ 581,400,000 |
Endorsement and Sponsorship
A significant portion of Harbhajan Singh’s net worth comes from his endorsement deals with major brands. He was among the most marketable athletes in India and commanded substantial endorsement fees. He used to earn INR 30 to 40 lakhs from each endorsement deal.
In addition to his earnings from cricket and endorsements, Harbhajan Singh also earns income from his work as a commentator for various media companies, including Zee, Star Sports, Sports Tak, and Sportskeeda.
His net worth has reportedly increased by 40% since 2021.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Harbhajan Singh |
| Date of Birth | July 3, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Jalandhar, Punjab, India |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-spin |
| Role | Bowler |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political Party | Aam Aadmi Party |
| Spouse | Geeta Basra |
| Children | 2 (a daughter and a son) |
| Net Worth (2023) | $10 million |
| Profession | Cricketer, Politician, Actor, TV Celebrity, Cricket Commentator |
| Teams Played For | India, Asia XI, Essex, India A, India Blue, India Green, Indian Inv XI, India Seniors, North Zone, Rest of India, Surrey, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, India Under-19, Punjab. |
| Instagram Handle | harbhajan3 |
Wife
Harbhajan’s gorgeous wife is Geeta Basra. Geeta, born on March 13, 1984, in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, is a British actress of Indian origin. She is known for her work in Bollywood films and is married to former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh.
The couple married on October 29, 2015, in a ceremony held at a gurudwara near Jalandhar, Punjab.
Controversies
One of the most notable controversies involving Harbhajan Singh was the “Monkeygate” scandal during India’s tour of Australia in 2008. Harbhajan was accused of making a racial slur against Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, allegedly calling him “monkey” during an altercation in the Sydney Test.
Another controversy that Harbhajan Singh was involved in is known as the “Slapgate” incident, which occurred during the 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Harbhajan, who was playing for the Mumbai Indians, allegedly slapped Indian pacer S. Sreesanth, who was representing the Punjab Kings, after a match. The incident was not captured on camera, but Sreesanth was in tears.
Career Stats
Harbhajan Singh’s career stats:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling in Innings | Best Bowling in Match | Average | Economy Rate | Strike Rate | 4 Wickets in Innings | 5 Wickets in Innings | 10 Wickets in Match |
| Tests | 103 | 190 | 28580 | 13537 | 417 | 8/84 | 15/217 | 32.46 | 2.84 | 68.5 | 16 | 25 | 5 |
| ODIs | 236 | 227 | 12479 | 8973 | 269 | 5/31 | 5/31 | 33.35 | 4.31 | 46.3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| T20Is | 28 | 27 | 612 | 633 | 25 | 4/12 | 4/12 | 25.32 | 6.20 | 24.4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
And here are his batting stats:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Hundreds | Double Hundreds | Fifties | Fours | Sixes |
| Tests | 103 | 145 | 23 | 2225 | 115 | 18.24 | 3432 | 64.83 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 277 | 42 |
| ODIs | 236 | 128 | 35 | 1237 | 49 | 13.3 | 1526 | 81.06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 35 |
| T20Is | 28 | 13 | 5 | 108 | 21 | 13.5 | 87 | 124.14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
| IPL | 163 | 90 | 35 | 833 | 64 | 15.15 | 604 |
FAQs
Who is Harbhajan Singh?
Harbhajan Singh is a former Indian cricketer born July 3, 1980, in Jalandhar, Punjab. He was a right-arm off-spin bowler and a handy lower-order batsman. Known as “The Turbanator,” he’s considered one of India’s greatest spin bowlers.
What are Harbhajan Singh’s biggest achievements in cricket?
Some of his biggest achievements include:
- Taking 417 Test wickets (third-highest for India)
- Winning the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup
- Being the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick (against Australia in 2001)
- Winning the IPL four times with different teams
When did Harbhajan Singh start and end his cricket career?
Harbhajan made his international debut in 1998 at the age of 17. He played his last international match in 2016 but officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on December 24, 2021, ending a 23-year career.
What was Harbhajan Singh’s most memorable performance?
His most famous performance was in the 2001 home Test series against Australia. He took 32 wickets in three Tests, including a hat-trick, and was named Man of the Series. This series is often credited with reviving his career and establishing him as a top spinner.
Did Harbhajan Singh face any controversies in his career?
Yes, Harbhajan was involved in several controversies. The most notable was the “Monkeygate” incident with Andrew Symonds in 2008. He was also involved in on-field spats with players like Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden and once slapped fellow Indian player S. Sreesanth during an IPL match.
What teams did Harbhajan Singh play for in the IPL?
Harbhajan played for Mumbai Indians from 2008 to 2017, Chennai Super Kings from 2018 to 2020, and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021. He won the IPL title three times with Mumbai Indians and once with Chennai Super Kings.
What is Harbhajan Singh doing now after retirement?
Since retiring, Harbhajan has been involved in cricket commentary and analysis. He’s also ventured into politics, becoming a member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of India’s parliament) in 2022.
What is Harbhajan Singh’s personal life like?
Harbhajan married actress Geeta Basra in 2015. They have two children – a daughter born in 2016 and a son born in 2021. He comes from a Sikh family known for his strong religious beliefs.
What records does Harbhajan Singh hold?
Some of his notable records include:
- Fastest Indian to reach 400 Test wickets
- Most wickets by an Indian off-spinner in Tests
- Third-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests
- Fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history
What was unique about Harbhajan Singh’s bowling style?
Harbhajan was known for his ability to bowl the “doosra” – a delivery that spins away from right-handed batsmen despite being bowled with an off-break action. He was also known for his aggressive bowling style and ability to perform well under pressure.
