I am hopeful, I will get a chance to play for India again: Harbhajan Singh

Against RCB, Bhajji took three wickets for 27 runs. (Source: BCCI/IPL)

Relieved after ending a four-match losing streak, Mumbai Indians’ spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh said head coach Ricky Ponting’s positive attitude and calm demeanour played a huge part in keeping the team together in tough situations.(Full Coverage| Fixtures|Points Table)

“He (Ponting) is a very positive guy. The way he played cricket throughout his career. He has been very positive about things whether you win or lose. He always says give your 100 per cent and that’s what the boys are looking to do,” he said after the 18-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.

“The boys had lost four games and yet he stayed calm and composed. He has been fantastic with the team. Moreover, under Ponting’s guidance, many youngsters like Unmukt Chand would help themselves to become a better cricketer, especially in the backdrop of his achievements of winning three world cups for Australia.

“I hope under his guidance lot of youngsters will know how to bat in different situations, which will help them to become better cricketers,” he added.

Apart from Ponting, Mumbai Indians also have Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar in the dressing room as mentors which motivates players, Harbhajan said.

“We also have Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, lot of wealth we have in the dressing room, which obviously helps each and everyone of us to go out there and do something for the team,” he said.

Asked to rate Sunfay’s performance, Harbhajan said he is happy about his performance with both bat and ball since the last two IPL seasons and hopes to make a comeback to the Indian team with consistent performances.

“I am happy that I am among wickets this IPL. Even the previous and before that I did well in the IPL. I was the highest wicket-taking spinner. I am happy the way I am going. I will continue to work hard in the nets. If I continue to bat and bowl well, I am hopeful, I will get a chance to play for India again,” he said.

Harbhajan said bowling slower through the air has worked wonders for him.

“The slower ball needs to be hit by the batsmen and if you have variation in the slower ball then you are forcing batsmen to take chances. That’s what I have been looking to do. I am backing my strengths and looking to bowl slower in the air and with nice shape on it.

“Just making sure I don’t give easy boundaries. This is what I have learnt. In last three IPLs I have bowled really slow, which has worked for me and hopefully I will just continue to work hard and keep on getting rewards,” he said.

Talking about his 100th IPL match, Harbhajan said it is a great achievement as he became the only player after Chennai Super Kings’ Suresh Raina to play hundred games for one
franchise.

“I am very happy. I am pleased with my performance in the IPL so far. It is a great achievement. I am the only player after Suresh Raina to play 100 matches for one franchisee. I feel great to be part of Mumbai Indians setup,” he said.

“The last four games, we did not play well. This game also they (RCB) came back really very strong, but still we managed to get a win, I am happy about it,” he said.

Asked whether Mumbai Indians have found the right rhythm and combination, Harbhajan said batting was not a concern even in earlier games.

“In the last two games, we batted well. We were thinking to do something about our bowling and fielding. We have the best bowling attack in this competition,” he said.

Harbhajan further said bowlers have to be brave to create chances and take wickets because the T20 format is cut out for batsmen and lavished praise on Yuzvendra Chahal who conceded 27 runs in four overs.

“This format is batsmen-friendly. Bowlers have to be brave and take wickets and produce chances. I think Chahal was fantastic for RCB. He bowled so well that he gave away 27 runs in four overs,” he said.

Pollard’s tape-on-mouth act was not in bad taste: Harbhajan

Defending Kieron Pollard for plastering his mouth after being told to be quiet by the umpire, Mumbai Indians’ senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh the bizarre gesture was unique but not in bad taste.

“The umpire told him to stay quiet, so he wanted to make sure to put the tape on his mouth and be quiet, but he is a bit of character. He likes doing things like that. IPL brings the best flavours of the West Indies boys and there was something very different and unique which was in a good taste,” he told reporters.

Pollard was warned by one of the on-field umpires to stay away from any banter after he was seen trying to unsettle RCB opener Chris Gayle’s rhythm by hurling a few words at him.

However, the tall West Indian responded hilariously by plastering his mouth with a tape which amused the spectators, Gayle and Mumbai Indians players including Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble sitting in the dugout.

Asked about his unique on-field behaviour, Pollard said it was just for fun.

Source:: Indian Express