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Harbhajan stands by Murali
 India’s
spin doctor, the Sardar from Jalandhar Harbhajan Singh faces a volley of
questions from Harsha Bhogle, the popular ESPN STAR Sports
commentator in his
show – Harsha Unplugged – to be telecast on Tuesday May 25, at 2130 hrs,
only on STAR Sports.
Harsha travels to Harbhajan’s
ancestral home in Daulatpuri Jalandhar and talks to him over a lunch of
traditional Punjabi food and
mangoes. Harbhajan talks about his injury, on the
ups and downs in his career, on Murali’s doosra,
about Sourav Ganguly, on his recent stint at the ramp
walk in a fashion show and also shares his feelings on missing India’s
historical tours of Australia and Pakistan.
Ravi Shastri and captain Sourav
Ganguly (“He could have made a huge difference on the last day of the Sydney
test in Australia”) also share their views on the charismatic off spinner in
the weekly 30-minute programme telecast every Tuesday 2130 hrs.
Excerpts from the show
On injury so early in his
career
Though
I have not played so many matches in international cricket, but I mostly bowl
long spells. Additionally I started bowling at the age of 13 and used to spend
hours practicing by myself. So the actual stress on my fingers has been much
greater that what my number of years in International cricket would suggest.
Also my grip is different from normal spinners’ grip. I hold the ball in 3
fingers only and I have a strong grip on the ball. This gives greater bounce to
my deliveries and also that little extra tweak. But it is also more strenuous
for my fingers.
On his recovery and comeback
 Last
five months have been difficult. I was scared if I will recover fully. But I am
fine now. I am regaining the flexibility in my fingers and I am bowling well as
I have rested enough. Making a comeback does not bother me. I know I have
performed and delivered for the team earlier and I am confident of my senior’s
trust in me that I can deliver again.
But the past is past. It will
be like a new innings when I make my comeback. I will have to perform and prove
myself again. Great bowlers like Sir Richard Hadlee, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble
have made successful comebacks from serious injuries. My injury was small
compared to theirs and with so many well wishers I am sure I will be able to
make a successful comeback.
I am looking forward to go to
England to get some match practice before the start of the next series.
On Sourav Ganguly
Sourav stood by me when I was
struggling. I owe a great deal to him for standing by me at the most important
time. He is the one who made it possible for me to return to the team. I can’t
express my gratitude for him in words.
On Murali’s doosra
 It’s
not fair to question a bowler after he has played for so many years and taken
over 520 wickets. If you have a problem, question him at the start of his
career. It is difficult to take 500 wickets even in ‘gulli’ cricket. Murali
has taken so many in test cricket and even then he has to face such allegations.
I don’t think it is right.
On his ramp walk in a
fashion show
I am a brand ambassador for
Samsung and did this fashion show for them for their mobile phones. It was
different, it was fun and I enjoyed it. It was just an off-season activity.
Bowling and cricket is my priority and that will remain so.
On the ups and downs in his
career
Life has been a roller coaster
ride for me. The same has been happening in my cricket career as well. Last 2-3
years were good though and the injury happened at the wrong time.
On missing the Australia and
the Pakistan tour
Playing with Australia is a
great challenge. It was my dream to go to Australia and win / do well for my
team. But it could not happen. It was an unfortunate miss but I am sure there
will be more opportunities. I also feel bad about missing the chance to beat
Pakistan in Pakistan.
On the importance of form
and confidence
It makes a huge difference.
Ricky Ponting is doing so well now. I have seen fear in his eyes earlier. He was
very nervous when he walked out in Kolkata and Chennai. It was obvious that he
is going to get out. But the same Ponting regained his form and confidence and
played so well in the World Cup and after that.
Sehwag is one of the most
confident players. He has always been like this and it is his confidence that
keeps him going all the time.
 Sourav
Ganguly on Harbhajan Singh
He is a match winner in both
forms of the game. I have seen him bowl fantastically in ODI’s. I still
remember that game in South Africa – the ICC Champions semi
final. He single
handedly pulled us back into the game with his fantastic bowling. It’s
unfortunate that he missed the Australia tour. He could have made a huge
difference on the last day of the Sydney test.
Ravi Shastri on Harbhajan
Singh
He is a fantastic cricketer and
a great competitor. He has a fire in his belly and no shortage of wanting to
try. he will be wanting to give his 100% to his captain even on his off day and
that’s what makes him a match winner.
RR
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