Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has insisted bowling on challenging wickets gives the ultimate pleasure to any bowler. The Indian spinners, who are known to wreak havoc on opposition batsmen on friendly pitches, struggled to get going in the first innings of the first Test against England at Rajkot. India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is currently the world number one bowler, failed to perform as per expectations and could take only two wickets for 167 runs but Harbhajan backed him to get his form back in the next innings.
Speaking to the media during a promotional event organised by Advanced Hair Studio, the Turbanator said:“Mazaa toh tab hain jab wickets challenging ho (It’s fun when the track throws up challenge for the bowlers). You have to be consistent with your lines and try different things. You have to toil to get wickets and that brings to the fore your skills as a bowler.”
Harbhajan also made sure to take nothing away from the English batsmen. Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes hit centuries as the visitors posted a mammoth total of 537 runs. However, he backed the Indian bowlers to make a mark in the second innings.
Speaking on England’s batting performance, Bhajji said:“Root, Stokes and Moeen are all good players. While they are a young team they have batted well in the Test match so far. But it is still early days. You can’t write off Indian bowlers. It’s one off thing and I am backing both Ashwin and Jadeja to come good in the second innings.”
When asked about his prediction for the five-match series, he said:” I am expecting India to win at least 3-0.”
The 36-year old has remained out of action for quite some time to spend some time with his daughter and wife. But now he is all set to be back in action during Punjab’s next Ranji Trophy game against Tamil Nadu in Nagpur. When asked about whether he is ready to play, he said:“I will be playing Punjab’s next Ranji Trophy game against Tamil Nadu from November 21st. If you would ask me if I am ready for international cricket I would say ‘no’ but post November 21, once I am back in the field, I would consider myself ready for any type of challenge.”
He also said that winning the World Cups and other big achievements in the game are nothing in comparison to being a father.
“My daughter has been the greatest gift of my life. Now I don’t need to look at anything else. World Cups, Test series wins, these are nothing compared to the joys of fatherhood,” Harbhajan concluded.