Sport

Harbhajan keen to carry Olympic torch

— Photo: AFP

SPEAKING HIS MIND: Not the one to mince words, Harbhajan Singh feels celebrities should not be made to carry the Olympic torch.

NEW DELHI: “Making headlines for the wrong reasons,” was how Harbhajan Singh looked at the season that had just ended.

Home after a long time, Harbhajan reflected on a tough season as he talked to The Hindu on Tuesday. The season included the rough tour to Australia, putting him under the spotlight on a racial abuse charge that prompted a pull-out threat by India.

But he is game to leave the comforts of his home if only he could get a chance to be part of the Olympic torch relay.

Harbhajan wants to carry the Olympic torch. “It will be great if I can do it. I always wanted to carry the Olympic torch but cricket gives no such platform. It can be a special moment for any sportsman. If I still get a call up, I will feel very honoured,” the off-spinner said from Jalandhar.

Given an opportunity, Harbhajan, 27, would love to travel to watch the Olympics. “Someday I will. I would love to go to the Olympics and cheer my athletes, support them. Olympics is a great event and carrying the torch should be a sublime experience.”

The off-spinner, known to speak his mind, was not supportive of the idea to invite celebrities to carry the torch. “Why celebrities? What have they done for the country? I strongly believe that only sportspersons and soldiers, who have done something for the country, should be allowed to carry the torch. The Olympic torch does not need any publicity,” Harbhajan said.

Harbhajan (275 wickets in 66 Tests) was his usual self against South Africa in the recent home Test series, when he made the headlines again, but this time for the right reasons. He was scalping the batsmen on a flat track, then on a seaming pitch and finally enjoying the fruits on a “helpful” surface at Kanpur.

From the ‘lows’ of Australia, where he was hounded by the media and the public, came the ‘high’ at the Green Park where he won the ‘man of the series’ award.

“This one is sweet. It is special for many reasons. I have been reading that it was a bad wicket but it is not true. It was a pitch that helped the spinners. It was not a rank turner. We played to our strength and what is wrong with it?

“I am happy people got answers to so many questions they had asked us. At least this pitch was better than the docile one where both teams scored runs and make a mockery of the bowling.”

Australia, the off-spinner confessed, was the most taxing phase of his career, almost as stifling as the period under Greg Chappell.

“When I look back, maybe I should have had another 40 to 50 more Test wickets but then that one phase (under Chappell) pushed us back. The team as a whole did not do well. It was a nightmare for all of us.

“With such negative vibes from him I had lost my confidence. I was never really worried about losing my place but then everyone goes through such a phase in life. I knew I was good enough to keep my place. There is peace now in the dressing room, very good atmosphere. Greg had put a lot of negative things in our mind and as a result the team suffered.”

Harbhajan is not averse to making up with Matthew Hayden or Andrew Symonds. “I have nothing against anyone. But I will remind my opponents that if they play tough, so will I. Often, I get into trouble because I speak my mind; I speak the truth. Maybe, I should learn to lie, if some people like it that way.

“Nothing wrong in celebrating because it is difficult to get wickets. Cricket is not meant for bowlers and that is what I remember when I bowl. I am a fighter and I like to fight. I don’t go to the cricket field to make friends.

“The passion and emotions of the people are natural. For me the reactions on the field are natural too. It just happens. For me cricket is life. There is no greater joy than giving your fans reasons to smile. I am happy with the image I have and will not change.”

Having spent ten years in international cricket, Harbhajan considers himself a senior in the team. “I have seen lots of ups and downs and a lot of changes within myself. I have become more responsible now and always look to set an example.

“I often think as a captain because it helps me stay involved with the game all the time. I do give suggestions from time to time, only the public does not get to know it.”

Any burning ambition? “I would like to lift the World Cup. We came close in 2003. I would also like to see India become the No. 1 Test nation and stay at the top for a long time.”

On the forthcoming Indian Premier League, where he has been signed by Mumbai Indians, Harbhajan said, “It is going to be very exciting. The IPL will grow and I am looking forward to it.”

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