Bhajji believes that his time will come when he gets the captaincy or vice-captaincy. In an interview to a private TV channel, Harbhajan said that, "I have said many times that I am available and obviously if something like this comes then I would definitely be really honored to receive such kind of responsibility. I will get it when that time comes. I have seen Anil Kumble retiring. He was the captain of India for two years. For me it will be the same thing."
Harbhajan acknowledged the responsibility on his shoulders and said his role was to guide India's upcoming spinners in the way Kumble had guided him. "I am the kind of person who actually believes that I have to win this game and I have got young bowlers like Pragyan Ojha, Piyush Chawla, Ashwin and I need to show them the way," he said.
"Even now, I ask Kumble whenever there is something wrong with my bowling. After the Nagpur Test, I called him and asked him whether anything is wrong. He just told me that there is nothing wrong with my bowling, just keep things very simple, you've won games on previous occasions, just go and give your best shot and be relaxed as much as you can." Harbhajan bagged eight wickets in the next Test in Kolkata to level the series and helped India retain the No.1 ranking in Tests.
Harbhajan also dismissed talk of him being an all rounder, following his match-winning cameo against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. He pointed out that India had produced only one genuine all-rounder and that was Kapil Dev. He, however, maintains that he has really worked hard with the bat and it is thanks to the effort of Coach Gary Kirsten that his batting has improved.
Harbhajan, who continues to represent India in all three formats, admitted India's early exit from the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean was a big disappointment. He also lashed out at the criticism that cropped up after their exit and said that he was hurt by the reactions of the people. "Everyone was saying we only play for money. We are playing cricket and nothing else. We have got our own life as well and we know what to do.
"Playing for the country is my first thing and what I am today is because I am playing for my country. If I was playing just IPL, or for any other club, then nobody would have given me the respect I have got. Whatever I have achieved today is because of my contribution to India."
Such criticism, Harbhajan added, was difficult for the youngsters in the squad. "If someone does not do well you criticize him, but do not take his case for any other reason. It definitely affects the youngsters."
© Cricbuzz, ~ Photo courtesy: Getty Images
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