Harbhajan offers prayers; Ashwin returns home

After realising the dream of winning the Cricket World Cup, Indian spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh on Monday paid obeisance at two religious places here.

After arriving from Mumbai, Harbhajan drove straight to Sohana Gurudwara in Mohali to offer prayers.

From there he went to the Hansali Sahib, the place of his spiritual Guru Baba Ajit Singh, and sought his blessings.

Harbhajan said he got anxious when openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were dismissed early and then prayed for help.

"When they got out, I just prayed deep from the heart to Baba Ji that 'Iss Baar Beda Paar Laga Do' (please steer the ship this time around). And it's because of his blessings that we realised the dream of winning the World Cup," he told reporters here.

Asked about the media reports that the World Cup trophy was not original, he seemed least bothered. "We have won the World Cup and that's big thing for us. Trophies toh mil jayega."

Harbhajan dedicated the win to the people of India. "This win is for the people of the nation. It was dream, not only of the cricket players but also of the people of the country. It is for Sachin and also for the nation," he said.

Meanwhile, spinner R Ashwin, who played well against Australia in the quarter-finals was welcomed in his hometown in Chennai by his family and fans with great fervour.

As soon as he arrived, fans, mostly from his neighbourhood lifted him on their shoulders and burnt firecrackers.

His parents had also arranged for a cake-cutting ceremony upon his arrival.