Mumbai, Mar 22: Punjab cruised into the quarter-finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after defeating Assam by nine wickets in Mumbai. Skipper Harbhajan Singh was content after the victory and hoped to continue in the same vein for the remainder of the tournament.

Excerpts from the post-match media conference:

On the match

We bowled well to restrict them to [less than] 120 [runs]. All the bowlers did their job. Mandeep Singh was the surprise package. It was a good way to start the competition and hopefully we will play in a similar way and continue to win that’s all I can say at the moment.

On captaincy

I am enjoying the role. I have been leading the Punjab team and I got the opportunity to even lead the India Green, which was good and I am looking forward and I am enjoying each and every game and boys are really contributing and just making my work easy in the middle. Obviously when they perform and stick to the plan it becomes easy [to lead and win]. I am quite happy with this new responsibility.

On whether this T20 tournament is good practice ahead of the IPL

It is very good, I won’t say practice, [but] a very important tournament for all the youngsters who are playing in this competition and for me as well to [make a] come back into the national side. I am looking forward to playing all the games and this will also give us the platform to perform even in the IPL which is starting in few days time. This is a very important tournament and whoever is available should be playing this.

On the World T20 championship that is to follow

It is a great opportunity for everyone to show their mettle and to show what they can do and for me also this is a great opportunity to make it count every game and perform. I have been bowling well and batting well so just continue to do what I have been doing and work hard to get back to the Indian side [...].

On the significance of the tournament

It is a very important tournament. It is ‘The Tournament’ I would say. IPL everyone knows is important but at the same time this is a tournament where you get to see a lot of domestic players. A lot of these domestic players might not be able [to play] in the IPL, but this is the time they can show their mettle on the field and in that way it is a great opportunity for everyone who is playing in this competition to be in form before the IPL and also the youngsters who are not playing in the IPL to show what they can do in this kind of competition. [...]

On getting back into the national side

I have been injured a lot during the season so I hope I don’t get injured anymore. I just want to continue doing what I have been doing and I have worked really hard at the NCA and now I am fully fit. I have been playing a lot of cricket now. I played a lot of domestic matches in Delhi, then Dharamsala and then here. It is helping me to build my stamina to that level. Each and every match is important for me and I am playing to the best of my ability and hopefully things will turn soon.

On his mental space

Mind has always been in a good space. It is a very important thing. If you think positively you can come out of injury sooner [...]. I was at the NCA for two to three months and I have worked hard. It will definitely show on the field and I am quite happy with the way things are going. [...]. I am looking forward to the IPL and from there on whatever is there. But, at the moment I am enjoying my cricket and that’s what is important.

On the journey of the Indian cricket team in the past one year

A lot has changed in one year. [...] I have been injured for most of the year. I would like to comeback and help to take India back to the No. 1 position.

On Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj is much better. I spoke to him last night. He is done with his treatment and other stuff. The only thing remaining is rehabilitation which is very important. He needs to rest and get his strength back. He is a fighter and he has fought this thing with lot of guts [...]. It is not easy when you are going through all that and hats off to him for the way he fought this fight. He must have won lot of games for India but this was probably the biggest game he has played [...]. He has come out of it [the ailment]. Thank you for all the wishes and the prayers that were done for him. It will be nice to have him back in India. We must all go and welcome him when he comes back. He is a fighter and I am sure he will come back to the field very soon.