Happy Birthday, Harbhajan Singh: When Bhajji’s prank in Sri Lanka went hilariously wrong

One of India’s most celebrated cricketers, Harbhajan Singh, turns 45 today. The off-spinner, fondly known as “Turbanator,” was a vital part of India’s golden era in cricket during the 2000s and a key figure in the 2011 World Cup-winning squad. 

Known for his fiery bowling and equally fiery personality, Harbhajan has also been a natural entertainer off the field. On his birthday, let’s revisit a hilarious anecdote from his playing days that still leaves fans in splits.

The Colombo Prank That Backfired

According to indiatvnews.com, in a candid chat on Bluntly Streaming, Harbhajan shared one of his funniest off-field memories from India’s tour of Sri Lanka. Teaming up with Yuvraj Singh his partner-in-crime for mischief the duo decided to pull a spooky prank on their teammates.

“We were in Colombo once and bought masks to scare people. Me and Yuvi, after wearing the masks, were knocking on people’s doors in hopes of scaring them. We had the list of our teammates’ rooms,” Bhajji recalled with a laugh.

However, the prank took an unexpected turn.

Wrong Room, Double Scare!

Instead of knocking on a teammate’s door, the duo mistakenly targeted an unknown individual’s room. “We went on to knock, and an unfamiliar man opened the door. The moment he saw us in masks, he screamed and so did we! We panicked, ran down the hallway, and didn’t stop until we were safely back in our room,” Harbhajan said, chuckling at the memory.

Harbhajan Singh: The Numbers Behind the Legend 

Beyond his playful antics, Harbhajan’s contribution to Indian cricket is monumental. Across 367 international matches, he bagged 711 wickets and scored 3,569 runs, cementing his legacy as one of India’s finest spinners. He played his last game for India in March 2016 but continues to inspire young cricketers.

A True Legend On and Off the Field

Harbhajan Singh’s career was defined not just by match-winning spells but also by his larger-than-life personality. As fans celebrate his 45th birthday, stories like the Colombo prank remind us of the camaraderie and fun that made Indian cricket in the 2000s so memorable.