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Interview Harbhajan Singh - 'Almost Left India For

kds1980

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Apr 3, 2005
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INTERVIEW HARBHAJAN SINGH - 'Almost left India for





Survival on his mind, a young Harbhajan Singh came close to leaving India forever after the death of his father a decade back. “At that time, cricket was the last thing on my mind. I was thinking of going abroad where I was ready to do any kind of odd job,“ he told Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview before the World Cup camp got underway in Bangalore.

But, he said, god had other plans for him. “I took 28 or 29 wickets in four Ranji Trophy games and there was no looking back.“

Since then, the off-spinner has traversed the hard path and is set to feature in his third World Cup. Along the way, several factors have worked towards his evolution, prominent among them is his aggression. But he prefers to call it adrenaline.

The spinner, fondly called Bhajji, also enjoys listening to the Sufi songs of Gurdas Mann, Debi Makhsoospuri and Satinder Sartaj.

Harbhajan shoots down talk of winning the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar. “It is bizarre.
The World Cup is about the country and not about one man.
We want to win it for every Indian, including the best cricketer and human being I know, Sachin paaji,“ he said.
In his bid for survival, Harbhajan Singh came close to quitting cricket after his father's demise. Since then, he has come a long way. In a free-wheeling chat before the World Cup camp got underway in Bangalore, the feisty off-spinner talked of, among other things, the journey, his evolution as an allrounder and the World Cup.
Excerpts: Ten years ago when your father passed away and you had made up your mind to migrate abroad, did you think that you'd play your third World Cup?
No. The only important thing was to look after my family. I was contemplating going abroad where I was ready to do odd jobs. But God has been kind.
I took 28 or 29 wickets in four Ranji games and there was no looking back. How different is it when you are playing for fun and suddenly it is to keep your family going?

It is completely different. At one stage, it was about playing for India because I had to look after my family, but as time passed, I looked at he bigger picture, the responsibility that comes with playing for India. The best part is my family, espebest part is my family, especially my mother, never pressurised me.
Who helped you decide that you should not go abroad?
God, it has to be him. Khuda chahey to ashk bhi sailaab le aayein, khuda chahey to sagar bhi kankard na duba payey.
A third World Cup becomes even more special in such a backdrop?
Special would be a wrong word, it is a bigger responsibility.
Earlier, it was a battle for survival for me and my family. Now, it is about doing something memorable.
Is that the reason you want to be in the limelight, be it while bowling, batting or even in celebration?
Celebrations happen at spur of the moment. I am an honest, emotional Punjabi man who likes to be praised whenever it is due. I have worked hard on my game and personality but some people can't tolerate my success.
You seem to have a point to prove.
Yes, I do. We are in a performance-driven field --if a batsman hits you for a six, you want to get him out because you want to show him and everyone else that you are better. I've won many battles against Ricky Ponting and he tries to get back at me at every given opportunity. Sport is confrontational and that suits my character.
Is aggression your biggest asset?
No, my biggest asset is adrenaline, Punjabi hoon na. The thrill of being on that stage is unparalleled. I have over 650 international wickets and more than half of them are a result of adrenaline.
Is Bollywood calling as well?
That is the problem, I am often misunderstood. By big stage and adrenalin I mean representing my country and not doing films. I may come across as a song and dance type but there is another side to me which is different but people do not want to see it as it doesn't make for a good story. The world thinks I am someone who loves Punjabi dhinchik-dhinchik music but the fact is I am hooked on to Sufi. My favourites are Gurudas Maan ji , Debi Makhsoospuri ji and Satinder Sartaj. Their songs have a perspective which is similar to mine.
Are these signs of turning 30?
We all evolve. These songs put in perspective things that are important for a celebrity in India. There is a line in Sartaj's song Ibadat Kar which goes: Kyu hankar karda a ve, ek din khaak ho jaana hai, tere to jaanvar changey jinna di khaal ban di hai (Why be arrogant, one day you'll turn into ashes, animals are better, at least their skins are used after they die).

I am at a stage where I want to impact as many lives as possible outside my family. This is what I mean when I say that the World Cup is not an opportunity, it is a responsibility.
For an event of such national importance, is it off the mark to say that a World Cup win will be a gift to Sachin Tendulkar?
The question that reporters ask, “Do you want to win this World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar?“ is bizarre. The World Cup is about the country and not about one man. We want to win it for every Indian, including the best cricketer and human being I know, Sachin paaji.

` If we were to win the Cup and Tendulkar retires from one-day internationals on a high, how'd you feel?
I don't want to speak for him but I think the Tendulkar I know has a lot left in him. Irrespective of whether we win the Cup or not, Tendulkar should stay on.
If you were given a choice, would you like a five-wicket haul or a hundred in the World Cup against your name? Earlier, it would have been a five wicket-haul but my expectations have changed since I got those two Test tons. Now, I'd want both.
How important was it to improve your batting?

People don't respect you if you can't bat. Things have been different since I got those two Test hundreds (against New Zealand). My confidence and thought process have had a positive impact.
Does batting for longer periods help you plan better as a bowler?
Yes, it does. Once you understand the value of every run scored, you bowl with a lot more purpose and field with desperation.
Could the WC be another step in your evolution as an all-rounder?
I hope so. Even earlier, I used to bat reasonably well but in the past year I have worked hard with Gary Kirsten and I think a bit like a batsman when I go out to bat.
Did criticism as a bowler play a part in your improvement as a batsman?
My idea was to give myself one more chance to succeed and a chance to shut the pundits up.
Thanks to them, I've evolved as a batsman.
(Dinesh Chopra works for ESPN STAR SPORTS)
 

kds1980

SPNer
Apr 3, 2005
4,502
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Its amazing to read that the person who was at the brink of leaving cricket is now the most popular face of Sikh community in India
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
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kds1980 ji

May we have the link for the above article. I have searched 3 pages on Google and cannot find it. Thank you.
 

kds1980

SPNer
Apr 3, 2005
4,502
2,743
43
INDIA
kds1980 ji

May we have the link for the above article. I have searched 3 pages on Google and cannot find it. Thank you.

This story is published in print version of Hindustan times of Delhi edition.It is only found in e-paper and that link does not work unless you are a registered user
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
Sorry to persist on this, but we need the link for attribution purposes so we are not liable for theft of intellectual property. It happens that I am a registered user, and get the e paper by email every morning. I spent some time searching, but don't have time to search for the article. Thank you.
 

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