The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Harbhajan is on song

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Harbhajan is on song

By Vijay Lokapally

BIRMINGHAM, SEPT. 14. His collection of caps has grown. So has his bag of wickets. Harbhajan Singh is on song; the injury is history as he charts an eventful course that increases the expectations, not to forget the responsibilities that the team management thrusts on him.

The injury was a dark period. "I was a forgotten man," said the jovial off-spinner. Those afternoons and evenings spent alone, bowling to one stump at the Burlton Park, were hard. Not those formative years but when he would drive to the ground with a friend, working on a comeback.

Those were painful days. The pain in his spinning finger did not match the hurt caused by some people who wrote him off. "I discovered new friends. Those who really cared for my cricket and me. It was a phase of enlightenment to tell you honestly."

His peace of mind was disturbed by the anxiety to return to the mainfold. It was not easy, for he was battling an army of detractors, within and outside the system. But he had the support of the man who mattered — Sourav Ganguly.

"Dada (Ganguly) was my saviour. He stood by me, kept in constant touch and spoke only in encouraging terms. It was nice of him. It was nice of some teammates too. But at the end of the day, I was frustrated, worried, and alone. Would I get back ever to the team I loved so much." It was a big question, with a simple answer. "Yes, I could," was his resolve and he did not relax a moment.

Smooth comeback

His determination ensured a smooth comeback for Harbhajan. "Sometimes I would think the injury was crippling as far as my bowling was concerned. It was scary." Harbhajan still shudders when he reflects on those difficult times. It is now the turn of the batsmen to worry, if not be scared, of facing this wily spinner. He has emerged the key component of the Indian attack in the ongoing Champions Trophy with sensational spells in the three matches that he has played thus far.

What is striking about Harbhajan's bowling is the field that he employs, quite reminiscent of the glorious period when the spin quartet was in operation and the close-in network of Ajit Wadekar, S. Venkataraghavan, Eknath Solkar, Abid Ali would wait in anticipation. Every ball seemed worthy of a wicket. Harbhajan brings the same passion to his bowling.

"A spinner has to attack and I have stuck to this concept," he says. So natural, yet so compelling an explanation of his newfound incisiveness. "I've always had this ability but it has worked in my favour that after the injury I appear to have been far more successful in my ways." No doubt about that.

Nagging

The batsmen have found him far too nagging than most others. The boundary-balls have just not been coming and that is half the job done. "I hate being hit for boundaries," Harbhajan is blunt as he bares his mind. "Nothing thrills me more than fooling the batsmen. I enjoy setting him up in Test situations. In one-dayers, it's a matter of just pitching it in the right area, for there is little room for innovations."

Harbhajan would not agree that this is one of his best phases. He has marked his goals but is brutally frank, almost arrogant, when he proclaims, "this is a mere glimpse of my potential. The benchmark will always be my home show against the Australians (in 2001) but the best is far away. This is just a trailer please.''

A trailer for those who had begun to doubt his credentials, and of course, value to the team. "I've always bowled with the same intensity. Be it an international match or a domestic fixture. I aim to take wickets. The thrill of claiming five wickets is no less than hitting a century." He promises to hit one soon.

Talking of hitting, one is tempted to ask Harbhajan why has he ignored his batting. Why is so indifferent, often getting out to wild heaves. "I know. It gives the impression that I want to finish the match in two overs. I know I've played some very poor shots and got out when I shouldn't have. I've not done justice to my batting."

A fighter

We know he can bat, but what we know is he can bowl like a champion. Tantalising flight and a length that shackle the batsman to the crease are attributes that make Harbhajan a crafty bowler. "Please note I'm a fighter to the core," he reminds you politely. A fighter. He is not a fast bowler to be so aggressive. "I am a bowler and I enjoy taking wickets. And I know I can't do that by being soft,'' he says.

So, sit back and watch a new Bhajji this season. He may take 36 wickets or more in the Tests at home against Australia. "Or take just three." But is emphatic that his fans will see a rejuvenated cricketer out to win matches for India.

A religious person, he is up early these days to recite his paath (prayer). "I derive my mental peace from my morning paath." Stress is a factor unknown to this cricketer.

And what about his teesra (the third one), the mysterious ball he promised he was working on at the start of his comeback a few months ago. His eyes gleam, and the face radiates his confidence. "It is with me but I haven't needed one yet, for my pehla and doosra (the one first and the other one) are working well.''

Harbhajan Singh, fit and fine, is ready for another contest as he fits a deep blue hat on his head and steps out of the room as relaxed as ever. This confidence is his strength, and also the password to success.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport