Harbhajan Singh Joins BCCI After Zaheer Khan, 1 More Indian Legend Added

Harbhajan Singh joins BCCI [Source: X.com]

In a major and somewhat surprising development, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is all set to join the BCCI to guide and train the next generation of spinners in the country. 

Notably, the legendary cricketer will soon begin hosting training camps at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. This initiative is expected to start from the first week of March and aims to prepare young bowlers for higher levels of competitive cricket.

VVS Laxman approached by Harbhajan Singh

According to reports by PTI, the CoE is organizing five-day specialized red-ball camps. These camps are designed especially for “targeted players,” including those from the Under-19 category and India A team. 

In other words, these are young cricketers who have shown strong potential at the junior and domestic levels and may soon represent the senior Indian team.

It is important to note that VVS Laxman has also approached other former teammates to contribute their expertise. The list of targeted players has been carefully prepared by the BCCI. These players have performed consistently in age-group cricket, first-class matches, and India A games. 

Some of them may have even played a few matches for the senior national side. Therefore, this program is aimed at polishing the skills of players who are on the verge of becoming regular members of Team India.

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Furthermore, it is understood that Laxman has contacted former greats like Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, and Anil Kumble to conduct four-to-five-day specialized camps. 

Anil Kumble might conduct a camp for wrist spinners

While Zaheer is working with young fast bowlers, Harbhajan Singh is currently finalizing dates for an off-spinners’ camp. There is also a possibility that Anil Kumble, India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs, may conduct a camp for wrist spinners.

"This is a welcome initiative where those who have played 100 plus Tests for India are sharing their experiences with Gen-Next," a BCCI source privy to development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Moreover, these camps will likely take place before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), since many of these young players will soon join their respective IPL teams. Interestingly, inviting former cricketing greats to conduct specialized camps began years ago when Jagmohan Dalmiya was the BCCI chief. 

In the past, former stars like Chandu Borde, Erapalli Prasanna, and Syed Kirmani also mentored young cricketers at zonal academy camps.

Harbhajan Singh's international career

It is worth mentioning that Harbhajan Singh is widely regarded as one of India’s finest off-spinners. Over the course of his international career, he played 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20Is. Altogether, he claimed an impressive 711 international wickets.

In Tests alone, he took 417 wickets at an average of 32.46, including 25 five-wicket hauls and five instances of taking ten wickets in a match. Additionally, he secured 269 wickets in ODIs and 25 wickets in T20Is.

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