Farhaan Behardien
A versatile middle-order batsman and reliable finisher who became a cornerstone of South Africa's white-ball teams for nearly a decade.
Born 1983 (age 43)·South African cricketer·Birthday: October 9·Millennials
Biography
Born in Pretoria, Farhaan Behardien carved out a significant niche in the fast-paced world of limited-overs cricket. His journey wasn't marked by explosive, headline-grabbing innings, but by a steely consistency and a sharp cricketing brain that made him a trusted figure in the Proteas' setup. Behardien's game was built on adaptability; he could stabilize an innings after early wickets or accelerate dramatically in the death overs with clever placement and power. His leadership qualities were recognized when he was handed the T20I captaincy for a tour of Sri Lanka in 2017, a testament to his tactical understanding. While a Test cap eluded him, his contributions in over 100 combined ODIs and T20Is were vital during a transitional period for South African cricket, providing glue-like stability in the middle order. After his international career, he remained a stalwart in domestic cricket, leading the Titans and becoming one of the most decorated players in South Africa's franchise system.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Farhaan was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Farhaan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Farhaan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Captained the South African national team in T20 Internationals during their 2017 tour of Sri Lanka.
- Played 59 ODIs and 38 T20Is for South Africa between 2012 and 2018, often as a key finisher.
- Won multiple domestic titles with the Titans franchise in South Africa's domestic competitions.
- Scored his maiden ODI century against Ireland in 2016, an unbeaten 101 showcasing his finishing ability.
Did You Know?
He holds a Master's degree in Marketing from the University of Pretoria, balancing academics with high-level sport.
Behardien is a qualified CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charterholder.
He made his first-class debut for Northerns in 2003, a full nine years before his international ODI debut.
His father, Rashid Behardien, was a first-class cricketer for Transvaal in the 1970s.
“My role is to build the innings and finish them under pressure.”
