MAKING BATSMEN WORRY: Harbhajan Singh has been India's match-winner for quite long, and the off-spinner attributes his success to hard work at the nets: Photo: R.V. Moorthy

JAIPUR: On the last tour of the West Indies, Harbhajan Singh read an inspiring line somewhere by boxing legend Muhammad Ali. "Many people have the skill, but not many have the will."

A jovial Harbhajan says: "My will is stronger than my skill."

The off-spinner, who used to go to sleep every night with a silent prayer to God to keep his place in the team, has come a long way.

He has become an integral part of the team and he is the key in India's scheme of things in the run up to the Champions Trophy.

The transformation was smooth. "There was a time when I was happy by not playing, because playing would mean having to perform, and not performing would mean losing your place and going back to Jalandhar (home). I did not mind carrying drinks. It changed after my first big international success (against Australia in 2001). Performing against Australia gave me confidence. I came to realise that the best way to keep my place is by performing."

Is it different now? "Yes. I have become sure of myself. I don't like sitting out because there is no greater joy than playing."

Nothing ambiguous

There is nothing ambiguous about this off-spinner. "I don't allow pressure to affect me. Whatever opportunities I got, I have given my best. I will be in the team if I am good. Getting picked or getting dropped will happen because of my cricket."

Why this aggression on the field, because it hardly matches his character? "I am aggressive without being offensive. I am persuasive in my own way. But I am honest in whatever I do. I like to speak my mind. I don't think by showing emotions I hurt my colleagues in any way or harm my cricket in any way."

Perfect philosophy again, but one suspects the man to be in conflict with himself. There is something that seems to bother him. "Not really. I am happy with the way things have shaped, even though I know I am capable of doing much better. The more you play the better you get, and I know I am getting better. I will prove it."

What makes him so confident? "I am working hard. I have some tricks. I have to get wickets by bowling better and not by just talking. I believe I can do it. It comes from within. I know what is good for me."

Working hard

Harbhajan does not shirk competition, does not relent even at the nets. "Everyone loves to see the bowler being smashed around. It is not fair when a batsman steps out in the first over and smacks the fast bowler out of the park. Cricket is a batsman's game and I am not going to make it easy for anyone, not even at the nets. Let us have sporting pitches and see who is better — the batsman or the bowler."

How does he react to the accusations that fame and money has spoilt him? "Ask my friends or my family. Hold me guilty if they say I have changed. My focus is not money. My focus is cricket, because my money comes from my cricket. I have always kept that in mind, and I promise you I will never get carried away. For me, it is important to be known as a good human being and not just a good cricketer. Whenever I stop playing, whatever time, I would like to leave the game with the respect and affection of the fans."

Need to improve

What would ultimately make him happy? "Honestly I don't set targets, but take things as they come, one game at a time. I try to give my best because I hate regretting at the end of the day if I discover I have not tried hard. I like to leave the ground with the feeling that I have given it my all. If my best does not help, I know I need to improve."

Any goals? "Of course I have a goal for myself. I want to be known as the best. I would like to see myself where Anil bhai (Kumble) is today. I would like to win as many matches as he has. If I don't, then I would be disappointed. Anil bhai is the greatest role model that you can think of, and he has set a benchmark for excellence. Pursuing it would be my motivation."

So, where does Harbhajan stand today? "My role has changed over the years. My responsibilities have increased, expectations from me are high but I am on the right path and it is up to me to carry myself forward. My best is yet to come."

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