French University confers Harbhajan Singh with honorary Ph.D. in Sports

Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon, a renowned university in France, has conferred veteran Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh with an honorary Ph.D. in Sports in a convocation ceremony. The 41-year-old couldn’t attend the ceremony since he’s currently in the United Arab Emirates, representing the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.

In the UAE leg of IPL 2021, the Jalandhar-born Harbhajan has had to warm the benches as KKR have preferred Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy as their spin-bowling options. As far as Harbhajan’s degree is concerned, the university offers the doctorate degree to popular personalities, including the ones from the sports fraternity.

Harbhajan Singh grateful after the degree

“If any institution accords respect, you accept that with utmost humility. If I have been conferred with honorary sports doctorate by the university, it is because I played cricket and people have showered their love and affection for that. I am honoured to be conferred with the degree,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying, Cricket.com reported.

Dr. Harcharan Singh Ranauta, the vice-president of the Indian Federation of United Nations Associations (IFUNA), recommended Harbhajan’s name to the university. Harbhajan also expressed his gratitude to the jury which picked him.

“I would like to thank Dr. John Thomas Parade, president Sorbon, Dr. Vivek Choudhury, chairman, Sorbon International Convocation Committee (Celebrity), Dr. Mukesh Tyagi, Sorbon International Convocation Committee, for finding me worthy enough,” he added.

In the ongoing IPL edition, Harbhajan has played three matches, but is yet to get a wicket. In seven overs, he has conceded 63 runs at an economy rate of nine. Back in February, the Men in Gold and Purple picked Harbhajan at his base price of INR 2 crores.

Harbhajan remains one of the greatest spinners India have ever produced. Back in March 2001, he became the first Indian bowler to pick up a hat-trick in Test cricket. He achieved the feat against Australia at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

In his international career for Team India, Harbhajan picked up 711 wickets with 28 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls. He was no mug with the bat either, having scored two centuries and nine half-centuries with a top score of 115.