Barring his dismissals of Ricky Ponting and the ‘monkeygate’ fracas, Harbhajan Singh hardly did anything else of note on India’s tour Down Under four years ago. Thus, it would be interesting to see if the selectors will go with the feisty sardar or allow R Ashwin to lead the spinners and make his mark
The big question on every Indian cricket fan’s lips is: Will Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh both make it to the tour of Australia later this year?
That would be the biggest cricket series after the disastrous tour of England and both India and Australia would be keen to put behind their respective defeats at the hands of England. Spin bowling has always been a crucial component of India’s bowling attack and this Australian summer too it would be no different.
When India last toured Australia in 2008, it was an acrimonious visit marred by the ‘monkeygate’ incident where Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds were the protagonists. Barring his dismissals of Ricky Ponting, his consequent celebrations and the ‘monkeygate’ fracas, Harbhajan hardly did anything else of note on that tour. But he sure did succeed in getting under the Aussies’ skin.
Of course Anil Kumble was the skipper and main bowler for India and he performed creditably on both fronts. He handled himself and the team in exemplary fashion and also bowled his heart out on the tour. But not so Harbhajan.
Thus it would be interesting to see if the selectors will go with him or allow Ashwin to lead the spinners and make his mark.
Ashwin’s height, side-on bowling action and ability to get turn and bounce on the Australian pitches could be an asset. Particularly, if he is willing to flight the ball and take the battle to the Aussie batsmen.
Traditionally, Indian off spinners who flighted the ball, EAS Prasanna during the 1967 and 1978 tours and Shivlal Yadav on two tours in 1981 and 1985-86 have done exceedingly well in Australia. Prasanna, the classical off spinner who was a master of flight and spin, picked up 31 wickets from eight Tests while Shivlal Yadav came away with 23 wickets from five Tests, including 15 wickets from a three-Test tour in 1985-86.
But Harbhajan, who bowls flatter and faster, has not been as penetrative in Australia. He has a mere nine wickets from four Tests. His average of 73 runs per wicket and strike rate of a wicket every 126 deliveries on Australian soil are hardly encouraging.
Thus it would be interesting to see if the selectors feel that he can add value to the team, particularly when Ashwin is on a roll and the other spinners are finding their feet. —VJ
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