Harbhajan admits Australian tour was hard for him

Melbourne, Mar 6 (UNI) Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has admitted that the Australian tour was hard for him as the controversies, in which he was involved, were difficult to cope with.

''Whatever I have coped with in the last three months, it has been a very hard time for me,'' Harbhajan was quoted as saying in the 'Sydney Morning Herald', however, he said ''It was a big learning experience for me, not just as a cricketer but as a man.

I have always known myself. I am a fighter.'' The 27-year-old was accused of racially abusing Australian player Andrew Symonds, a charge which was later dropped and the Australian fans also accused him of making monkey gestures to them.

''The Australians boo me and say things at times but it didn't really bother me -- the more they will do it, the more I will keep on performing,'' he said.

The spinner said Australian media projected him wrong and described his on-field conduct with the Aussies as harsh and rough.

''I don't really feel the pressure. I just take it the way things come and I try to stay very cool. I am not here to make friends, and I can't play soft,'' he added.

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