Former Australia captain Steve Waugh recently shared a heartwarming reunion with his old rival, Harbhajan Singh, and admitted that the Indian off-spinner was one of the toughest opponents his side ever faced. Waugh recalled how Harbhajan gave nightmares to his world-beating Australian team during the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) — a series that redefined Indian cricket’s resilience and mental strength.
The 2001 BGT remains one of cricket’s most iconic battles. After suffering a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the Mumbai Test, India, led by Sourav Ganguly, staged one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history to win the series 2-1. Ganguly’s calculated mind games — especially keeping Waugh waiting at the toss — became a part of cricketing folklore. However, it was Harbhajan Singh’s brilliance with the ball that truly turned the tide.
Harbhajan delivered a career-defining performance, claiming 32 wickets in just three Tests, including a historic hat-trick in Kolkata — the first by an Indian in Test cricket. His spell single-handedly dismantled the mighty Australian batting order, which featured the likes of Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Steve and Mark Waugh, and Adam Gilchrist. Ponting, in particular, had a torrid time, dismissed by Harbhajan in all five innings for a total of just 17 runs.
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Sharing a nostalgic post on Instagram, Steve Waugh wrote, “Always great to catch up with old adversaries from the playing field. This guy single-handedly destroyed us with the ball in the famous 2001 Border-Gavaskar series, taking 32 wickets in three Tests!!” The Australian great also cheekily asked fans to guess who India’s next best bowler was and how many wickets he took — a reflection of just how dominant Harbhajan had been.
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At that time, Australia were invincible, boasting a 16-match winning streak between 1999 and 2001. Yet, Harbhajan’s brilliance broke their rhythm, humbling one of the strongest teams in cricket history. After taking 17 wickets in the first two Tests, he delivered his masterpiece in Chennai — a 15-wicket haul that sealed a dramatic series win for India.
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Harbhajan ended the series with 32 wickets, while the next best Indian bowlers, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan, managed only three apiece. He bowled an astonishing 178.3 overs, a testament to his endurance and impact throughout the series.
Over two decades later, the sight of Steve Waugh and Harbhajan Singh sharing a laugh reminds fans how fierce rivalries often blossom into mutual respect — a beautiful hallmark of cricket’s timeless spirit.
