Colombo Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who made a memorable comeback to internataional cricket by helping India thrash England in a World Twenty20 group league match dedicated his man-of-the-match award to his mother and close friends who stood by him in his hour of crisis.
“It’s been a hard year. Being out of the side. Other boys were doing really well, so it was really difficult for me to make a comeback,” Harbhajan, who took 4/12 in India’s 90-run win over defending champions England, said.
“This award is for my mom and those who have stuck with me,” he added.
Harbhajan said the wicket in his second ball of international comeback gave him the much-needed confidence.
“For me it was an important game. I hadn’t played international cricket for a full year. Getting a wicket first or second ball gives you a lot of confidence,” he said.
Harbhajan Singh reacts during the match. PTI
Asked about any change in his game, he said, “In T20 cricket, it’s important to just read the game. I have tried to cut down my run-up a bit.
“I was running in too fast, and struggling to find my areas. So I was consciously coming in off a short run, and slowly,” said the off-spinner.
An emotional-looking Harbhajan said that he had always thought that he would make a come back and play for the country again.
“This India shot is everything for me. I don’t know what I would do if not playing for India. I would like to thank my friends and team-mates and the Essex (his English county side) people too.”
PTI
