India spinner Harbhajan Singh wishes his daughter to see him play international cricket

Veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said that his newborn daughter kept him away from playing cricket last year. However, with his daughter being a bit older now, Bhajji wants her to see him play international cricket. Harbhajan shared that he took time off last year to spend it with his family.

He missed a season of domestic cricket as his wife was due and his daughter was born. The off-spinner has also found it hard to squeeze into the national side. He was last seen donning India colours during the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh. However, the senior offie is confident of playing for Team India very soon.

“I am working hard on my game and looking forward to making a comeback in the one-day squad. I can deliver at the highest level against the best in the business. I am as good as anybody playing international cricket. I need to back myself and get there,” Bhajji said.

The Turbanator has finally made a comeback to competitive cricket. He is now a regular feature in Mumbai Indians’ line-up during the ongoing Indian Premier League. Harbhajan has been one of the more effective bowlers in this season of the IPL so far. He’s played 7 matches and has bagged 4 wickets at a stunning economy rate of 5.88.

“I am keeping things simple, reading the batsmen and bowling according to the situation, instead of worrying about what shots the batsman will play,” Harbhajan said about his secret to IPL success.

“In this format, spinners often think they will get away with faster balls. That perception is wrong because faster balls are easier to put away. Spinners have a big role in this competition, but only if they are looking to spin the ball and willing to take chances by bowling slower through the air,” he said.

“They have to keep the batsman guessing about where the ball will land and that can happen only if you are trying to deceive the batsman in the air. It will happen for only two or three balls in an over. But it has worked for me over the years,” he added.

Despite missing a season of domestic cricket, his economical spells and his accuracy with the ball make him look like a rejuvenated bowler. However, he admits to have struggled to motivate himself to get back to playing at the highest level. Playing domestic cricket was certainly not the easiest of tasks for one of India’s most experienced spinners.

“It is not easy for someone who has played at this (highest) level for 10 to 15 years to make a comeback by proving yourself at the domestic level. It is a bit hard to motivate yourself but that is the only way,” Harbhajan shared.

“You can take it as a challenge or you can think you don’t need to prove yourself to anyone. But to play with the same intensity at the domestic level is a bit difficult because the buzz is not there even though there is competition. However, that’s the only way you can make a comeback and you have to get up and do things all over again. I love playing cricket and people who love doing something will do anything for what they love,” he concluded.

Harbhajan is keen to represent India for the upcoming Champions Trophy in the UK. “I have done what I could have done. I hope people are watching. Whether I am there or not, I want India to do well. If not this time, I will get there later,” he said.