'Australia was a very important tour for me'

Young Punjab leg spinner Rahul Sharma said the tour of Australia was a good learning experience for him though he did not get many opportunities to be in the playing XI. 

"I learnt a lot in Australia. Seniors like Sachin Tendulkar, (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni bhai, Viru (Virender Sehwag) bhai all helped in bowling. I got to learn a lot," said the bowler after taking two wickets for Punjab in their shock victory over Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali All India T20 tournament semi-final. 

"It was a very important tour for me. I had worked very hard before going there. I did not get to play much there because of injury," said Sharma, who split his webbing in the opening game of the tri-series in Australia against the hosts. 

He also wished a speedy recover to Yuvraj Singh, under whom he played and impressed in the last IPL for Pune Warriors, from his illness for which he has undergone chemotherapy in the US. 

"I am in the Indian team because of him. 

"Hope he comes back into the Indian team. Whenever he is back, will be good for us."

On Punjab's entry into the final, Sharma said bowling was the team's plus point. 

"We bowled well (against Mumbai), bowling has been our strength in this tournament. All four are international bowlers. Bhajji being a World Cup Champion player, has played a lot of T20. It feels good to be in the final. 

"(Manpreet) Gony is doing well, VRV (Singh) is returning to the team (from a long injury lay-off) and Bhajji is always doing well. We have a very good (bowling) combination," he explained. 

He also praised Harbhajan's leadership in the tournament. 

"Bhajji is an aggressive captain, and I enjoy playing under an aggressive captain," said Sharma.