Born in Daulatpuri, near Jalandhar, in the northern state of Punjab, Harbhajan learnt the art of spin quickly and by the time he was 17, he was already hearlded as an India prospect.
But a suspect action ruled him out of cricket for a while after making his ODI debut in 1998. He was back in the reckoning soon after, but his effectiveness was visibly reduced.
It was his father's sudden demise two years ago that strengthened Bhajji's desire to go all out and fulfill Sardev Singh's wish.
From that point on, the passion of old was back and 'Sonu', as he is known to family, was a man on a mission.
