‘We were playing to win against Australia’- Harbhajan Singh on facing the mighty Aussies

Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian player, relived the events of the historic series while the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was in progress. They talked about what it’s like to play Australia and gave some behind-the-scenes glimpses of their unforgettable on-field moments.

For many years, the Australian cricket team has been regarded as a standard of excellence rather than merely a rival. Taking on Australia presented young Harbhajan with a challenge as well as a chance to demonstrate his best skills.

“It was our responsibility. Our goal in playing Australia was to win. Playing against a larger team like Australia, who were a really strong squad, lets you know how excellent you are as a player. First place went to them. Play against the finest if you want to know what you’re capable of. That’s what we did. We made an attempt. We remained resolute and tried. Every time we played against Australia, we had to work harder. Because they were a really good squad,” Singh stated during the special “Time-out” conversation show on Star Sports.

Those recollections are only found on the earth: Harbhajan Singh

The former spinner even acknowledged that it took more than just regular matches to play against Australia; it took a certain amount of willpower and effort. With the world’s top-ranked Australian team, every Indian player had to give it their all to overcome this formidable opponent.

Even more, the off-spinner mentioned that he has a fantastic relationship and is buddies with several Australian players. He claimed that working together after retirement had brought everyone closer.

No, those recollections are only found on the ground. I meet Matthew Hayden now, as though he were my long-lost brother. We both work for the same production company, Star Sports, because we are broadcasters. All of those things have therefore subsided. For the field, those memories belong. He continued, “You get to know each other better in the IPL once you start sharing the dressing room.”

Players from many teams and countries have come together in shared locker rooms thanks in large part to the Indian Premier League. Harbhajan developed a better understanding of his opponents as a result of these exchanges. He saw that, like Indian athletes, Australians had only one objective in mind: to put in a lot of effort and represent their nation with pride.

Consequently, I realised that they put in a lot of effort for their team, just like we do. To help their country win, they put in a lot of effort. It is all fair in that regard. It’s all fair, like in love and battle. It is therefore all fine when you are on the pitch. It shouldn’t go beyond the field, though. “On the pitch only, we should give each other those blazing glances,” the spinner said.