I have to start afresh: Harbhajan

Harbhajan has been recalled to the Test team after he took three for 35 in Essex's winning cause against Kent, in a County Championship match on Friday.

"It is special. It is good to be back in the team. It is another opportunity to do well. I have played for so many years but that has all gone. I need to start fresh. I am very excited to be part of the team," Harbhajan told 'espncricinfo.Com'.

The senior spinner last played for India on August 1, 2011 before he left the England tour mid-way due to a stomach injury.

At that time he was just two matches away from becoming only the ninth Indian cricketer to play 100 Tests. But injuries coupled with a dip in form and the lack of faith from the selectors saw him stranded at 98 matches.

He missed the home series against the West Indies, the away tour of Australia, the Asia Cup and recently the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.

Admitting that it was a "very hard and tough year", Harbhajan said, "Nobody would like to be outside the team but as Rahul (Dravid) mentioned it is difficult to make comebacks than playing first time for India. It is much more difficult for a guy like me who has played for 12 years, had a very successful career and then suddenly you are out of the team.

"Then you have to work even harder and you have to compete with yourself to do even better. Having already set some standards through your various performances you are competing with yourself. You have to step one further now. For that you have to work even more harder, remain even more focused and start again from the scratch." (MORE)