“MS Dhoni told me, Bhajju pa, aap….”- Harbhajan Singh reveals an untold story from India vs Pakistan 2011 WC match

“MS Dhoni told me, Bhajju pa, aap….”- Harbhajan Singh reveals an untold story from India vs Pakistan 2011 WC match

MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh

Fans and Indian cricketers love to revisit the World Cup 2011 because it has given such good memories when India lifted the trophy under the captaincy of MS Dhoni after 28 years. That tournament was also Sachin Tendulkar’s last World Cup appearance.

India had defeated Australia in the quarter-final but in the next match, they faced their arch-rivals, Pakistan. The match was played in Mohali and India, batting first, set a competitive target of 260/9. Sachin Tendulkar shined with the bat with his 85-run knock off 115 balls.

While chasing, Pakistan lost quick wickets but the stand between captain Misbah-ul-Haq and a young Umar Akmal kept Pakistan’s hopes alive. Both the batters looked dangerous and Akmal had scored a quick 28 runs off 24 balls which included a four and two sixes.

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“On the very first ball, I got the wicket”- Harbhajan Singh

MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni and Umar Akmal

Several bowlers who have played under the captaincy of Dhoni have praised him about how his suggestions have helped them find wickets. India spinner Harbhajan Singh told a story that during water break of the India-Pakistan match, MS Dhoni came up to him and suggested him something. He asked Harbhajan to deliver the ball around the wicket.

“It was one of those games where I felt I was getting a bit numb. I had bowled five overs, conceded around 26-27 runs. It was a water break, and Dhoni told me, ‘Bhajju pa, aap vahan se daaloge’ (around the wicket). Kamran (Umar) was playing good, so was Misbah. And they were scoring runs and the partnership was getting dangerous,” said Harbhajan as he recalled the moment on Star Sports’ Dil se India.

“So I came to bowl, I remembered god. I just prayed for a win. And god did listen to me. On the very first ball, I got the wicket of Kamran (Umar) Akmal as I bowled around the wicket. He completely missed the ball,” he added.

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