It hasn't been easy being Harbhajan Singh over the last one year. From being the one who was supposed to carry the mantle of spin bowling from Anil Kumble' the 32-year-old off-spinner was reduced instead to a journeyman.
Not many were positive about a comeback. His former captain, Sourav Ganguly, though kept saying that the feisty Sardar was the kind of bowler he would always want in the XI. However, every time his replacement R Ashwin took wickets by the bucketful, you felt Harbhajan should start looking beyond an India cap.
His selection for the World T20 wasn't appreciated in all quarters since Harbhajan had a poor IPL and he often went wicketless while leading the Mumbai Indians. Being on the plane to Colombo' though, has given Harbhajan a second chance. And as he ran through a struggling English batting lineup on Sunday night, taking 4/12 the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in T20 Internationals ), you could make out how desperate the man is to make the most of this 'lifeline.'
With Ashwin, now the No. 1 spinner in the side, rested for this game, he knew that this could be his only chance.
It was redemption of sorts for Harbhajan since it was the same Englishmen who took 287 runs in two Tests off him while giving away just two wickets, sending the bowler into oblivion. The second Test at Nottingham, in July 2011, was the last that Bhajji played for India before being given another chance here.
Skipper MS Dhoni, though, was guarded in his praise. "I believe I have seen Harbhajan bowl better, but under the current circumstances' it was a brilliant performance. He was making a comeback and got a chance to prove that he is good and under these conditions, one tends to get desperate. I would have been happy even if had got two for 24, but I believe he can bowl better.'
Dhoni added: "He didn't bowl any short deliveries and invited the batsmen to drive. He used the variations like the top spinner and the doosra effectively. He showed an aggressive mindset and wasn't bothered too about field placements. He was focused.'
Bhajji and Piyush Chawla's success has made things difficult for Dhoni. Does he continue with five bowlers? Will he play both Ashwin and Bhajji?
Where does he fit in off-colour stars Sehwag and Zaheer? Irfan Pathan was a bad choice as an opener, but pushing him up offers the option of an extra bowler.
"I don't know who all will play in the next game but obviously Harbhajan, with his ability to slog down the order, gives us an option of playing a batsman less,' Dhoni said.
Comments
Add new comment