Published: Oct 18, 2014, 11:25 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 18, 2014, 11:34 PM (IST)
Oct 18, 2014
Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla, all members of India’s World Cup winning squad in the ICC World Cup 2011, have fond memories of the showpiece event. At the Salaam Cricket conclave organised by “Aaj Tak” they shed light on some of those memories.
One such memory was skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appearing with his hair completely shaven with the World Cup trophy in Mumbai as the crowd celebrated. What prompted him to shave his head. “Dhoni had taken a ‘mannat’ that if he wins it he will shave his head. We were sitting and suddenly he disappeared. He shaved his head himself. After we won he vanished for 10 minutes. When he came back we could not recognise him and asked him to leave. Then we realised who it was,” said Harbhajan.
Another superstition and memory was some team members remaining seated in one place if the team was doing well even if desperate circumstances arose. “ I was thirsty, but Bhajji never let me leave my seat. I told I was thirsty, Bhajji said “nothing will happen if you wait,” revealed Chawla.
“ We never moved from our places. When the winning stroke was hit I jumped over Sachin and Sehwag. It was heartening to see those happy faces… people coming up to tell me that I had made them, the sport proud,” added Harbhajan Singh.
Being relaxed and enjoying oneself on the cricket field is one way of handling pressure and the Indians did just that. “ On the field you have to be serious, but if the fun element dies then there is no use of playing the game. You play to enjoy and by taking pressure you spoil a lot of things. I get angry now as well. But I had good seniors who taught me a lot. From by debut till date, whenever there is a chance to have fun i enjoy and when I get serious I do a lot,” said Harbhajan.
A healthy team spirit was one of the reasons why the Indian team emerged triumphant in the ICC World Cup 2011. “ The seniors were very supportive. The World Cup was my first ODI series in India! I had a bad match, and the entire team supported me, helping me make a comeback,” said Chawla.
