The feisty 30-year-old has been an integral cog in the
Indian wheel, architect of several come-from-behind wins, largely with his
tricky off-spin and occasionally with his newfound batting prowess.
India's ability to return from the brink of disaster was
evident in the recent South Africa tour where they rallied to draw the test
series before the subsequent one-dayers provided further demonstration of their
resilience.
In the second ODI in Johannesburg, India folded for 190 but
returned to skittle out Graeme Smith's team in 43 overs to eke out a one-run
win.
In the next match in Cape Town, India lost their top half
for 93 but went on to chase down the victory target, aided by Harbhajan's
23-run cameo down the order.
"This team has got a lot of confidence," Harbhajan
said in a telephone interview.
"Players, right from number one to 11, have won games
for India. Every player's mindset is like this team can achieve anything. It's
never over till it's over.
"We believe in each other, even if we need 100 runs
with two wickets left or the opponents have 150 to chase with all 10 wickets
intact.
"This team has got that fighting spirit. We have showed
that on many occasions and we will take that confidence into the World
Cup." The World Cup experience has been a mixed bag for one of the most
fascinating characters in contemporary cricket and Harbhajan says he has seen
both good and bad.
He was part of the team that reached the 2003 final and the
one that made a hasty exit from the 2007 event, a setback blamed on the strife
in the squad with the then coach Greg Chappell on one side and the senior players,
including Harbhajan, on the other.
"I was very new in 2003 but that was a great
experience. We played some outstanding cricket throughout the World Cup, apart
from the two games we lost.
"Otherwise it was quite a satisfying tournament. I've
got some great memories of that World Cup — the way we played, enjoyed each
other's success and the dressing room atmosphere. The best thing was everybody
was up for any challenge.
"In 2007, we did not play well at all, let's put it
that way. We deserved to go home after losing to Bangladesh. We played some
poor cricket.
"A few things were not in place, don't know how to put
it. Lots of things went wrong before the World Cup but coming back to the
point, we did not play well. That was probably the worst period of my career.
"I remember we lost the game but still had to wait to
see if Bangladesh beat Bermuda or something like that. It clearly was the worst
time I've faced in cricket." The gloom in his voice made way for sunny
cheeriness as he talked about the team's prospects this time around.
"This is the biggest thing I have not achieved so
far," said Harbhajan, who was a key member of India's 2007 Twenty20 World
Cup winning squad.
"If we play well, with the grace of God, I'm sure we
can fulfill that dream without any issue. If we stay humble and follow the
process we have been following, this is an achievable thing and I'm sure we
have got the team to do that." So confident is Harbhajan that he does not
reckon the favorites' tag would weigh heavily on the team.
"Playing in India will be an advantage. There will
definitely be a lot of expectation that would add to the pressure to perform
but we have faced those kinds of situations and have done well.
"The players are quite mature and understand their role
in the team. I'm sure they will come good." The 2011 Cricket World Cup in
India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka runs from Feb. 19-April 2.
