Signalling the end of the cold war with his successor Ravichandran Ashwin, seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Thursday hoped the Chennai tweaker would shatter all records and predicted a 3-0 win for India in the ongoing five-match cricket Test series against England.
During the New Zealand series, Harbhajan had indirectly taunted Ashwin’s success with the cherry by raising fingers at the spinning pitches being made in the last four years.
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“Records are made to be broken and I wish Ashwin, (Ravindra) Jadeja and all others should surpass us with their achievements and wish the same for future generations too,” the 36-year-old told reporters on the sidelines of an Advanced Hair Studio (AHS) event.
“We have all the capable spinners in the team who can take wickets on any sort of track. What you need to do is just be more patient and bowl a tight line according to the field.
On Thursday, England went on to pile up a mammoth 537 with three of their batters — Joe Root (124), Moeen Ali (117) and Ben Stokes (128) — hitting big hundreds despite India playing three of their premier spinners in the XI.
Defending the Indian spinners’ inability to bundle out the visitors cheaply, Harbhajan said: “They are all good spinners but sometimes when you try too many things which don’t work in your favour. Its one of those days when you don’t click and I would wish them all the luck for the series, which still is very very young.”
“Every match is a new challenge and so is every series. England have a very good young side and we can expect a tough fight in the series. But I will still back India to win the series 3-0”
Commenting on the track at Rajkot, the Punjab spinner said: “To be honest, I haven’t seen the wicket yet, obviously I have seen the score which shows it must be a pretty good wicket to bat on.”
“Its a totally different track from what we have seen in the last five years, where teams have come and scored 500 runs in one innings.”
“I haven’t seen that in the last four years, either the wicket is really good or England have batted very well,” he added.
Harbhajan further revealed that he will return to cricket in Punjab’s next Ranji Trophy game from November 21 after spending “quality” time with his new-born daughter.
“Yea I took a break to spend time with my daughter and family. I will be back to cricket in Punjab’s next Ranji Trophy game from November 21.”
Asked if he is ready for the England series if the need arises, he said: “I am not ready at the moment but from November 21, I will be ready, no matter it is for the Test series or the ODIs.”
Medium pacer Mohit Sharma, who was also present at the event said he is currently focussed on leading the Haryana side back to the Elite group in the Ranji Trophy.
The 28-year-old is in great nick after taking two back to back five-wicket hauls in Haryana’s last two matches.
“Personally I am taking one series at a time. I am currently captaining Haryana in the domestic competition and the focus is on collecting as many points to get back to the Elite Group. So as of now, I am thinking more for the team rather than individual benefits,” he said.
IANS
