Healthy team environment saw India lift 2011 World Cup: Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh

New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) Apart from a strong team, a healthy team environment was crucial for India's title triumph at the 2011 World Cup, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said here on Saturday.

"During the 2011 World Cup, our team was really strong. But the most important factor was the healthy team environment we had within the dressing room. Our coach Gary Kirsten created a friendly unit which was really united to the core," Harbhajan said at the Aaj Tak conclave Salaam Cricket.

"We had the belief that we can win it. From 2008 onwards, we were doing quite well. We won the One-Day International (ODI) triangular series in Australia and that gave us great amount of confidence. Psychologist Mike Horn helped us significantly in handling the pressure. All these factors contributed to the great victory."

Harbhajan termed India's semi-final win over Pakistan as one the biggest highlight of the 2011 World Cup.

"Winning the final against Sri Lanka was of course a great moment but one of the most important match, pressure-wise, was the semi-final against Pakistan. With so many interested in the game and people from different walks of life coming to watch the match, that too in Punjab, it was a huge match for us. It was a huge relief after we won the semi-final," added the right-arm tweaker.