The 2002 semifinal win over SA is my finest Champions Trophy memory: Harbhajan

For Harbhajan Singh, it is an opportunity to “pay back” to the game by ensuring the fans fill up the stands at the Champions Trophy to be held in England. The ICC, in an effort to promote the tournament, has appointed eight brand ambassadors for its seventh edition, and the off-spinner is one of them. “We have to make the right noises and attract fans to come and celebrate the tournament at the venues. It is important that the stadiums are packed when the world’s best eight teams compete for the title which is next only to the World Cup,” Harbhajan told The Hindu. Hopeful of making it back into the national team, Harbhajan has not lost his zeal to take on the best. “It’s all about confidence and trust in your skills. I have always backed myself and this is an honour which is obviously going to boost my ambitions,” said Harbhajan. “I look forward to visiting different cities to promote the game.” The challenge that 50-over cricket faces, with the rising popularity of the T20 format is not a cause of concern, Harbhajan said. “I hear people talk of threat to Test cricket from T20. It is not going to happen. It is in India that fans are not turning up in big numbers for Tests because there is too much cricket, and too much of T20 cricket,” he said. “In countries like England, Australia and South Africa, fans are watching Test cricket in big numbers, and I am convinced there is place for 50-over cricket too. It has its own excitement and attractions.” The 36-year-old, who has 269 wickets from 236 ODIs, pointed out the importance of Champions Trophy. “It is a well-structured tournament, and has the best of the world participating,” he said. “In the past, we have seen some of the finest matches in this tournament, and I am sure the forthcoming edition is going to be an intensely competed tournament. “As defending champion, India has a task at hand, and we are well-equipped to keep the title. We have a strong combination that can excel in English conditions.” Reflecting on his own experience in the tournament, Harbhajan, a member of the team that shared the trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002, said: “I have fond memories of the tournament which we should have won but for the rain in the final. The semifinal (against South Africa) remains memorable. We had posted a good target (262), but the South Africans were cruising (at 192 for one) when (Herchelle) Gibbs retired and I got Jonty Rhodes who fell to an exceptional catch by Yuvraj Singh (at short fine leg). Yuvraj was young then. In the same over, I got (Boeta) Dippenaar, and the game changed in our favour. That (10-run) win is my best Champions Trophy memory.” As a brand ambassador now, Harbhajan can relive those moments when he sets about to promote the tournament.