We want to end 2009 on a winning note: Harbhajan

Chandigarh:

After achieving the number one status in Test, Indian cricketers will strive to end the year on a high by winning the five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka, says off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

"We played excellent game this year. We will strive hard to win the ODI series with Sri Lanka and end the year on a winning note," Harbhajan told reporters here after launching a drug awareness campaign.

"We will not drop our guards and become relaxed and keep trying to win matches in future," the seasoned tweaker added. India ascended to the top of Test rankings after winning the three-match series against Sri Lanka 2-0.

The one-day series will begin at Rajkot on Tuesday. Talking about splendid batting efforts of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh that helped India level the two-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, he said, "Both Veeru and Yuvi are great players. It is always a pleasure to watch Veeru and Yuvi batting on field."

Wishing a speedy recovery to pacer S Sreesanth, who is battling Swine Flu, Harbhajan said "I pray that with all our good wishes he recovers soon."

Talking about the drugs awareness, he said "For building a strong nation, the youth needs to be made aware on the ills of use of drugs. If the youth is focussed on a positive path the country will progress and emerge more stronger."

Harbhajan said he regrets appearing on a television reality show along with actress Mona Singh as Ravan and Sita and asserted that the act was not meant to hurt anyone's sentiments.

"I respect all the religions and my act never intended to hurt sentiments of any section of society. If I knew that my performing in a particular manner in a dance show will hurt the sentiments of someone I would have not done it at the first place. I regret what I did," he said.

Harbhajan launched the awareness campaign of an NGO run by the same local advocate Arvind Thakur who along with the Punjab unit of VHP was instrumental in filing a case against him and Mona.