Goafest Day 2: Harbhajan Singh on unearthing future cricketing talent

In India, cricket is not just a game, but akin to a religion, a national passion. And everything related to cricketers gets instant attention. The presence of Indian Cricket Legend & Member of Parliament Harbhajan Singh on Day 2 at Goafest 2023 created a lot of excitement. 

Harbhajan was part of a Knowledge Seminar by Disney Star, titled ‘Unearthing Future Talent: The Rise of Indian Cricketers from the Grassroots’. In conversation with Manish Batavia, Sports Presenter & Commentator, Harbhajan revealed several components that make a cricketer, starting with self-belief, his experiences on-field and off-field, moving on to his journey beyond cricket, and then finally his upcoming book. 

The discussion highlighted the immense talent pool in the country and the effectiveness of nurturing young players at the grassroots level. Harbhajan fondly remembered, “I tried my hands at Judo and Badminton, but Cricket was very close to my heart; I wanted to be like Kapil Dev!”

Harbhajan, in answer to Manish’s question about coaching, said, “Coaching is one thing, honest management of talent is what is required today.” He believes that through dedicated coaching programs, infrastructure development, and a passion for the sport, India’s young cricketers will make their mark on the international stage, paving the way for a promising future in cricket. 

This interview with Harbhajan showcased the potential for India to consistently produce skilled and competitive players who can contribute to the success of India. 

Finally, he shared his insights on consistent practice and focus on a single goal. He also spoke about his learnings from failures and how he used them to do better at his game. He exited with the same gusto as his entry!