After playing cricket for 19 years, Harbhajan Singh’s focus has shifted to his family

Yuvraj Singh’s return might have motivated Harbhajan Singh to dream of a possible comeback to the Indian cricket team, but for the spinner, family time is equally important. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Harbhajan, one of India’s finest off-spinners, spoke about his comeback to cricket and life with family, his daughter especially.

“This had to happen. She (daughter) will always be (my) priority now. My daughter is growing up and I want to live every moment of it. I haven’t played (international) cricket in the last 8-9 months, but I can still get back to it. I can’t not be there for my daughter when she is growing up. That won’t come back,” said the 36-year-old spinner

The Mumbai Indian bowler credited all his cricketing achievements to his family. “I’ve been playing cricket for almost 18-19 years now. This (marriage and fatherhood) is happening to me for the first time. Now, it’s all about family. Whatever I’ve achieved so far in life and in the future is for them. My family is my world,” he continued.

Bhajji, as he is fondly called, made his international debut in 1998 and went on to play 103 Tests and 236 ODIs for the Indian cricket team. He has picked up 413 wickets in Tests, which is the second highest by an off spinner, behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan.

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Harbhajan last played an international match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the World T20 in 2016. After getting married on 29th October 2015, he and his wife Geeta Basra welcomed their first child Hinaya Heer Plaha in July last year. The father frequently posts pictures of his little one on Instagram.

At present, the spinner is leading the Punjab outfit in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy where his performance has been good, if not phenomenal. Singh will also be seen in the Mumbai Indians squad in the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League which is scheduled to begin on April 5.