Last one year hasn’t been good for ‘Turbunator’ Harbhajan Singh. Once the mainstay of Indian spin bowling, Harbhajan lost the favour of the selectors after the England Tour last year and hasn’t been able to make an entry into the Indian team ever since. A combination of injury and losing the national selectors’ faith kept Harbhajan Singh away from Team India for close to 11 months now. Keen on a comeback, the off-spinner has chosen to take the English county route to return to the national side. Prior to his departure to Essex, Harbhajan in an interview to The Indian Express said that he was very positive and eager to bowl long spells.
“I am aware of the challenges. But at the same time I am not thinking too much about it. I want to take this phase as it comes. Last time I was there in 2007, I finished with 37 wickets at 18.54 and put in a lot of crucial performances for Surrey. And it was followed by me making a comeback into the Indian team. God-willing, I hope history repeats itself,” said Bhajji, adding that every adversity has an opportunity and he always looked at the glass being half full than half empty.
“This break gave me a chance to work on a few things which you generally don’t do when you are on the move. And as far as media is concerned, they have been very kind to me and have always given me ‘special treatment’. There was a break and I was looking to make the most of it. And on the other side there were some counties looking for replacements in the second half of the summer. So it turned out to be a win-win situation for both of us. I don’t know how long I will be there. But hopefully a few good performances there will bring me back to where I belong,” Bhajji told Indian Express.
Meanwhile, star Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who underwent treatment for cancer earlier this year, is targeting the World T20 for his return to active cricket. The all-rounder began training at the National Cricket Academy here on Monday in a bid to regain match fitness. He was mostly involved in indoor training on Monday, says a report in The DNA.
“I am in the second week of rehab,” Yuvraj told a huge media contingent that was waiting outside NCA. “I’m in the second stage and feeling good. My body will become stronger slowly and the World T20 is my target. Hopefully, I can be ready a little before the event.
“People expect me to make a comeback very quickly. However, I don’t want to rush it. I will have to take my time and come back 100 per cent fit. I am trying to do that before the World T20,” he added.
