Mumbai: Fatherhood witnessed new avenues as Harbajhan Singh declared his love for his infant closely equating it to the win of two World Cups, commending Ravichandran Ashwin’s efforts.
“My daughter has been the greatest gift of my life. Now I don’t need to look at anything else. World Cups, Test series wins, these are nothing compared to the joys of fatherhood,” said the seasoned off-spinner.
The seasoned player had taken a brief sabbatical from cricket to accompany his new born in the United Kingdom, not losing his touch from the sport and will prove his valour in the upcoming Ranji Trophy game against Tamil Nadu in Nagpur.
“I will be playing Punjab’s next Ranji Trophy game against Tamil Nadu from November 21st. If you would ask me if I am ready for international cricket I would say ‘no’ but post November 21, once I am back in the field, I would consider myself ready for any type of challenge.”
“Personally I’m taking one series at a time. I’m currently captaining Haryana in the domestic competition and the focus is on collecting as many points to get back to the Elite Group. So as of now, I’m thinking more for the team rather than individual benefits,” he added.
He didn’t fail to encourage Ashwin in the ongoing five-match series and keept rooting for him, inspite of scoring 167 runs in 46 overs in the first Test against England, terming it as “one off day”.
“Ashwin is a very capable bowler. I expect him to get a lot of wickets. I am expecting India to win at least 3-0,” India’s third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket said.
His love for a thrilling four-five day match with the fall of wickets is known to all.
“Mazaa toh tab hain jab wickets challenging ho (It’s fun when the track throws up challenge for the bowlers). You have to be consistent with your lines and try different things. You have to toil to get wickets and that brings to the fore your skills as a bowler,” he said when asked about India’s bowling performance on the first day in Rajkot.
Credits are given where due and Bhajji doesn’t fail to address the visitor team’s commendable performance.
During a promotional event, he went on to say, “Root, Stokes and Moeen are all good players. While they are a young team they have batted well in the Test match so far. But it is still early days. You can’t write off Indian bowlers. It’s one off thing and I am backing both Ashwin and Jadeja to come good in the second innings”.