The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Harbhajan on song

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 09, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

Harbhajan on song

Vijay Lokapally

NEW DELHI: The alluring loop has returned to Harbhajan Singh's repertoire with the ball following a lethal arc that leaves the batsman in a daze. Not long ago, the off-spinner appeared to have been struggling to cope with a growing consensus among former cricketers that he had lost his bite, and essentially, the zeal to bowl.

"I know opinions will differ with the bowling analysis I return but believe me at no point did I feel threatened of losing my faith in myself," said Harbhajan, who was a much-improved performer in the last two limited overs series against Sri Lanka and South Africa.

After some nondescript stuff in his first international season, Harbhajan had caught the imagination of the cricket lovers with his exceptionally fascinating bowling against Steve Waugh's Australian team in 2001.

Approach

Harbhajan's approach changed gradually. Like those he watched on the television, he grew in confidence. "I believed I could win matches for India. The hat-trick (against Australia at Kolkata in 2001) was the turning point because it was the first time I was taking five-wickets in a Test match. I had always dreamt of taking five wickets in a Test match."

The chirpy cricketer from Jalandhar found it tough to match the expectations of the people. "It would not be correct to say that I was struggling to make an impact. It's not always possible to take wickets. There are times when you bowl well and yet end up wicketless. I know there will be some bad times too and I have learnt to cope with such situations."

When faced with the challenge of keeping his place in the side, Harbhajan went back to the basics. "I bowled for hours at a single stump and told myself that I have to enjoy my bowling just as Warne and Murali. They are both great bowlers and have both been through lean phases in their careers."

When Harbhajan performed below the expected standards in Zimbabwe after failing to make an impact against Pakistan at home, he came under pressure from some scathing criticism by former players. "I had to show patience and work hard without letting my emotions to affect my style. Even I wanted to improve. But then the same people who rubbished me changed their opinion once I got wickets. I would have appreciated if they had guided me. After all I was just a phone call away."

Harbhajan rejected any suggestions of technical adjustments. "All this talk of arm, toe, shoulder, follow through does not mean much to me. There will always be some minor changes to make. But I don't get perturbed. I have taught myself one thing in the last one year. I have learnt to laugh at myself. So I don't lose my cool when others ridicule me. I am completely focussed on the job of taking wickets."

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