Harbhajan's 2001 Hat-Trick: Lessons in Support, Pressure and Comeback
Harbhajan's India-first Test hat-trick came at 252/4: he dismissed Ponting, Gilchrist, Warne. Day 25: why Ganguly and Wright's backing was the real turning point.

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By Avinash Chate — Maharashtra’s #1 Corporate Trainer & Motivational Speaker. Published 2026-05-23.