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Harbhajan sets sights on 2011 World Cup

Harbhajan Singh, the Indian offspinner, wants to win the 2011 World Cup and be part of teams that reached the top in all three formats of the game

Cricinfo staff
10-Dec-2009
Harbhajan Singh wants to complete a career treble in 2011  •  AFP

Harbhajan Singh wants to complete a career treble in 2011  •  AFP

Harbhajan Singh, the Indian offspinner, wants to win the 2011 World Cup and be part of teams that reached the top in all three formats of the game. India are presently the No. 1 Test side after beating Sri Lanka 2-0 at home; they won the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 and so the only world title that has eluded this team is the World Cup.
"We've won the Twenty20 World Cup, we are the number one Test side and now if we can win the 2011 World Cup, that would be a great thing for Indian cricket and all of us who will be part of that triumphant squad," Harbhajan told PTI. "I will be on top of the world if it happens."
The closest India got to winning the World Cup, after their triumph in 1983, was in 2003, when they reached the final in South Africa but were crushed by Australia. "It would have been nice if we could win the 50-over cricket World Cup in 2003," Harbhajan Singh said. "We could not win it but I have great memories of that tournament, of playing some really great matches along with some great players. It will be very exciting if we can win the 2011 World Cup."
India were drawn in Group B for the 2011 World Cup along with South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands. They will play the tournament opener against Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 19. "It would require special efforts and special performance [to win the World Cup] and that would add on to team's success," Harbhajan said. "I will be very happy if we can achieve that. It would be very satisfying."