Learnt to take it on the chin: Harbhajan Singh

[1]

Harbhajan Singh is not the one to fade away quietly. In his own words the past one-and-a-half year has been ‘tough’. Having spun a successful career since making his debut in 1998, the off-spinner has been on the sidelines since August 2011.

But things are beginning to fall in place for the feisty Sardar as he makes a comeback into the national team at the T20 World Cup.

In an exclusive interview to Deccan Chronicle, he opens up about the time he spent in wilderness, the ‘process’ that he didn’t follow and his stint at County side Essex, which paved the way for his return to the Indian team.

Excerpts:

. It must have been a huge relief to make a comeback after being in the wilderness for more than a year?

It’s nice to be back in the mix again and all I want to do is just enjoy my game. The last year and half has been really tough. Both mentally and physically I was shattered. When you go through such a period, lot of negativity creeps into your mind, which is not best for you.

It’s easy to give up in such scenarios, but to keep fighting and to come out of it feels good. Highs and lows are part of life and one has to take it on the chin and move forward.

How much has the Essex stint helped you?

I thought sitting at home for two months and not doing anything would not do any good for me. It was important for me to play cricket and I chose to play county cricket. At the end of the day, I wanted to keep on trying — find the rhythm and solution for me to make a comeback.

Take us through your difficult times. How frustrating was it sitting on the sidelines?

It’s all about competing with yourself, and wanting to get better. If you stop competing, then you are not achieving anything. I have seen the highs and been there for many years.

Did you ever feel that you would not make a comeback?

I was desperate to make a comeback and play for India again. I have had a very successful career and I wanted to come back and make sure to do things that I did before.