“I don’t really mind it when people boo me, it just gives me a lot of pleasure that everbody knows me in the ground and they just are going for me. That inspires me to do well. The more they do it, the harder I am going to play. I don’t hear what they say, but the more they say, the tougher I get,” emphasised Harbhajan Singh, who has been given rowdy receptions at all grounds since his three-Test ban was overturned.

Speaking ahead of the tri-series league tie against Sri Lanka, the off-spinner said on Monday that the previous evening’s win against Australia was already history. “I don’t believe in momentum,” he remarked. “I believe in going there and putting up the best show on that particular day. It doesn’t matter what Sri Lanka did in their last game or what we did in our last game. Both are quality sides looking to win, it will be a good challenge for both sides. It is nice to have a win, it was very important for all of us to play well against Australia.”

Asked if the Indians were less intimidated now by Australia than before, Harbhajan countered, “We are never scared of any team. Probably other teams might be scared of us. But we have always been brave, whoever the opposition, and especially me!”

Brushing aside concerns about vice-captain Yuvraj Singh’s form, Harbajan went on, “He is a champion player and we are not worried about his form. He has scored many runs for India in difficult situations. It’s just a matter of one game before he starts making runs and hopefully, that game is tomorrow. He’s a top player, among the top ten in the world.” 

Sri Lanka’s status as World Cup finalists did not faze the offie.”The World Cup was a long time back,” he remarked.

“We have played Sri Lanka a lot and we know their strengths and weaknesses. But we will try to play to our strengths. If we stick to our plans and basics, there’s a good chance for us to compete with them and emerge victorious.”

India handled Muttiah Muralitharan with some comfort in their last face-off at the Gabba on Tuesday. “The way we played Murali was very good. He got two early wickets, but he gave away 50-odd runs and that doesn’t happen very often,” Harbhajan said. “The way Gautam and Dhoni played him was very good.”