India’s former World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh has got a big opportunity in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a few days before the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026.
Indian spinners are facing a tough time especially in Test cricket, and keep in mind that Harbhajan Singh was sent on a special mission ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin.
Harbhajan Singh gets BCCI role before IPL 2026
Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been tasked with guiding the young bowlers in a four-day special spin camp at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru from March 23 to 26.
The move has attracted attention as many felt that someone like Ashwin could play such a role. But this time BCCI has handed over this responsibility to Harbhajan Singh, one of India’s most successful off-spinners. He took 417 wickets in 103 Tests and brought with him immense experience.
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Mumbai off-spinners Tanush Kotian and Himanshu Singh will train under him, while Goa spinner Mohit Redkar will also participate in the camp. Players are expected to report on March 20, and the first two days will be used for fitness testing before camp begins.
The special spin camp is part of a larger plan at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. Recently, Zaheer Khan also worked with the young fast bowlers in the same special camp, making it clear that the Indian cricket board wants the former legend to help the young players grow.
Big opportunity for Tanush Kotian and Himanshu Singh
Meanwhile, this is a big opportunity for Tanush Kotian to work with Harbhajan Singh. The young spinner has been brilliant in domestic cricket and was included in the India squad for the first time during the Australia tour in December 2024 after Ashwin’s retirement, but did not get any matches.
The 27-year-old has taken 131 wickets in 44 first-class matches and has also scored 2168 runs to prove his worth as an all-rounder. His biggest moment came in the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy, where the spinner took 29 wickets and scored 502 runs to help Mumbai win their 42nd Ranji title.
He was also named Player of the Tournament. On the other hand, Himanshu Singh has also been impressive in the domestic circuit, taking 42 wickets in 15 first-class matches. Since both Kotian and Himanshu are not a part of IPL 2026, this camp has come at the right time for them.
Meanwhile, former India leg spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has retired from the BCCI commentary panel after 23 years in broadcasting. He made the announcement on Friday, March 20. Before the announcement, Sivaramakrishnan said that he would reveal more shocking details as the TV production story unfolded.
In another post, which he later deleted, Sivaramakrishnan said that cricket fans will be shocked, and even the BCCI will be shocked. He had earlier also claimed that he had faced racial discrimination.
This retirement is just the beginning of a story. When told, the general public, cricket fans and everyone will be surprised. I’m so happy that people who hate me are happy. But people who thought I was at least decent. Thank you. BCCI will be left in disbelief.
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