Sport

We matched their aggression: Harbhajan

New Delhi: Targeted by the “press, players and the public”, Harbhajan Singh said the tour of Australia was an ‘unforgettable’ experience. Eager to get home, even if it means an arduous eight-hour drive to Jalandhar after a gruelling air dash on the Brisbane-Melbourne-Singapore-Mumbai-Delhi route, the wily off-spinner is a relaxed man.

“It was as if the series was Harbhajan Singh versus Australia,” said Harbhajan here on Thursday. “I have had many tough moments in life but rarely as challenging as what I faced in Australia. I must say it was a special tour as far as we all were concerned.

“I had always wanted to do well against Australia. We all had in fact. We were all proud of ourselves that we did well in Australia. They are a dominating team but I have had a good record against them. I had to match their aggression and that is what I did,” asserted Harbhajan.

Harbhajan has had his share of controversies in a career spanning nine years but nothing as serious as the one in Australia when he was charged with making racist remarks. “That charge was not against me but the whole of India. It was very serious and honestly I was very upset.

“But I can never forget the backing I received from the team and will always remember the support that Anil (Kumble) gave me. Anilbhai was outstanding in his handling of the situation,” Harbhajan added.

Harbhajan recalled, “It started in Sydney when I and Sachin (Tendulkar) were at the crease. We were matching their hard cricket and then they started saying very personal things against me. There was a lot of talk from them and I gave it back to the Aussies. Not just the players, but the press and the public were against us.

“We played some outstanding cricket. This was the best way to put them in their place. Ricky Ponting had said there would be two finals. That is what we gave them, just two finals,” said the off-spinner.

Harbhajan confessed that the team was focused on finishing the series in Brisbane. “Sachin wrote on the board in the dressing room that we should not rush and take our time when batting. I added that whatever we made we would win.

“We won and it was the most satisfying win of my career. In fact this series was more satisfying than the 2001 win at home,” added Harbahajan.

He said he had no complaints against the Australian public. “Many of them said they loved me when I met them outside the stadium. I can understand the public wanting to support their team but I made them realise that I also played cricket the tough way. I was not in Australia to make friends. I was there to play for my country and win. And win we did.”

Harbhajan did not forget to thank the Board for its overwhelming support right through the tour. “The entire team was motivated when the Board backed us. This series was a landmark tour in my career and I am sure it would motivate the youngsters to believe that we have it in us.”

According to Harbhajan, the Twenty20 World Cup triumph laid the foundation for the team to back itself. “We have some splendid youngsters. Robin (Uthappa), Rohit (Sharma), Ishant (Sharma) promise so much. Ishant was just terrific. I have not seen any Indian bowler in the last ten years bowl like Ishant did. ”

On the reported move that a camera was placed only to catch his actions, Harbhajan said he was hardly perturbed with such acts. “Australians do not like it when you give it back to them. They play the hard way and we also played the hard way. They somehow could not break our spirit. They have been always like this.

“They are a very arrogant side and are not known to mingle with the other teams. Only Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) and (Brett) Lee came to our dressing room after the Perth Test. Even Gilly has a façade of a friendly cricketer. But the Australians will never forget this Indian team. We matched their aggression and taught some lessons in hard cricket.”

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