Brimming with confidence due to his brilliant bowling performance so far in the Indian Premier League, veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has been harbouring the hopes of making it to the Team India squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. But at the same, the 36-year old admitted that he would not be disappointed if he fails to get a ticket for the tournament which will be played in England from June 1.
India’s third-highest wicket-taker in Tests, Harbhajan last played an One-Day International in October 2015 while his most recent international appearance in any format came more than a year ago against United Arab Emirates during the 2016 Asia Cup T20.
However, his bowling performance in the IPL has given him the confidence of getting a recall from the national side. The Turbanator, as he is fondly called, has not managed to pick up a lot of wickets, taking only 8 in 9 outings so far. However, his 5.82 economy rate is the best for any spinner in this year’s IPL and second overall behind only Gujarat Lions medium pacer Nathu Singh, who has bowled just four overs in two matches. What makes his economy rate even more impressive is the fact that he has been used in tandem during the powerplay by Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma.The off-spinner also had a good outing in the Vijay Hazare trophy where he claimed nine wickets from six games at four runs an over.
“I am as hopeful and positive as any other player would be. IPL is a big platform and the performances here are taken note of. I have rarely missed any limited overs matches this season (be it Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali T20),” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by The Times of India on Sunday (May 7).
When asked whether he will be left disappointed in case he does not get a recall, Harbhajan said:“Not at all. It is selector’s call. Yes, I would be very happy to wear national colours but one tournament is not the end of the road. I am still itching to play international cricket. That was what it was 19 years back and as I reach my 20th year, nothing changes.”
Speaking about his bowling strategies, the tweaker said:“On rank turners, you can push the ball through the air. But I have been bowling slower through the air. Trying to flight and get my stock ball, off-break going. You have to be a step ahead of the batsmen and I believe I have been able to do that. That’s what has been my role for Mumbai Indian in last 10 years.”
“When you have 65 metre mid-wicket boundaries and the batsmen are aiming to hit you over that region, it’s better that you take mid-wicket out of equation. The doosra then becomes a lethal weapon. It’s all about bowling different lines and also altering the length according to core hitting areas of a batsman,” added the 36-year-old.
The BCCI, meanwhile, has given Team India all clear to defend their trophy in England. Speculations were rife over India’s participation in the tournament due to BCCI’s tussle with the ICC but the BCCI, on Sunday (May 7), made it clear that the defending champions would play in the eight-team tournament. The squad for the same is liekly to be announced on Monday (May 8).