Prior to this game, Harbhajan Singh didn’t have a memorable series bowling on the placid tracks at Ahmedabad and Kanpur. However, the off-spinner made merry on the turning wicket — that also offered bounce — at the Brabourne Stadium and returned with the figures of 4 for 107 on Day One of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka.
The experienced Sardar got the desired turn and bounce right from the word go and he wasn’t surprised with his show. “It wasn’t spinning much. I felt there was a little bit of moisture as the ball was gripping a bit and spinning. That was enough to beat the bat. I wasn’t really surprised because I knew the red soil would aid bounce and spin provided you put in enough effort,” Harbhajan said after the end of the first day’s play.
Harbhajan got the crucial breakthrough after openers Tharanga Paranavitana and centurion Tillakaratne Dilshan negotiated the new ball. The offie got the better of Paranavitana with an outgoing delivery that kissed the edge and went straight to Rahul Dravid at first slip.
“I was bowling the way I have been bowling. Sometimes the kind of wickets we play on, it is difficult to even beat the batsmen. I was happy with the way I bowled but it could have been a little bit better,” he added.
India’s close-in fielders struggled to pouch a few catches off the spinners. Harbhajan, however, did not openly express his disappointment. “Whatever we have, we have to accept that. It would have been nice to have Gauti (Gautam Gambhir), who is a very good fielder at short-leg. Vijay (Murali) is also quite quick over there. But whatever we have, we have to play with that. It is great to have fielders who can move around, stop those runs and create pressure,” he said.
Harbhajan also came out in support of Muttiah Muralitharan, who has been rather off-colour. “Murali is the biggest match-winner cricket has ever seen. Playing Murali will obviously be challenging and it has always been challenging whether the wicket is flat or spinning. I am sure he will be looking forward to bowling on this wicket. However, we have the batsmen who can handle him and they have done well against him,” added Harbhajan.
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