Harbhajan hopeful of a turnaround in fourth ODI in Mumbai

Sudhir Gupta 08:32 22/10/2015
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  • Back in the fold: Harbhajan.

    Harbhajan Singh is confident the spin-friendly MA Chidambaran pitch will help India bounce back in the five-match one-day international series against South Africa.

    India are trailing 2-1 after three games and desperately need to win today to harbour any hopes of clinching the series.

    After losing the first match narrowly by five runs, India came back strongly to win the second ODI in Indore by 22 runs before faltering at the finish in Rajkot to lose by 18 runs.

    Harbhajan admitted the situation is not ideal for India after their recent defeats as they look to take the series to the fifth and final game in Mumbai on Sunday.

    “Obviously, we are in a tricky situation. We have to win our next game to be in the series and we have got the team which can turn things around,” Harbhajan said on Wednesday.

    “We will be going all out to win the game tomorrow and from there onwards hopefully we will put up another good performance. Things can be different in one week’s time.

    “I’ve always enjoyed playing in Chennai. This is one place where spinners come and enjoy bowling. I remember a lot of the good games I’ve played here. Hopefully, we’ll turn things around from here and it’ll be good fun,” he added.

    The 35-year-old spinner who has been excluded from the upcoming Test series against the Proteas claims he is focused on winning games for India in whatever format he is picked for.

    “Well, my job is to play. I’m really happy that I’m part of the side. Coming to the Test matches, sometimes you get picked, sometimes you don’t. I should not get too worried about selection. Whenever my opportunity comes, I will look to do what I can from my side,” said the off-spinner who has taken 266 wickets in 234 ODIs.

    Harbhajan alongwith left-arm spinner Axar Patel and leg-spinner Amit Mishra fared admirably on a flat surface in Rajkot when they restricted the Proteas by conceding 130 runs in their 29 overs together and picked up three wickets.

    The spin troika is expected to feature in the fourth ODI as well and Harbhajan promises there will be no let up for the rival batsmen.

    “I have come here with one purpose only, to win games for India and no matter what situation I am bowling in, I am looking to take wickets because the best way to contain the batsman is by getting them out. 

    “That’s what we are looking to do with our spinners. We are looking to put pressure on them and not give them easy singles. If they are looking to go over the top, that is fine by us,” he said. 

    While the Indians bank on spin, the South Africans are relying on speed to frustrate their rivals despite the slow surfaces on offer.

    Dale Steyn firmly believes quality pacers will continue to have a say on any surface. The South African pacers Steyn (four wickets), Morne Morkel (seven) and the young Kagiso Rabada (three) have proved that in good measure by claiming 14 wickets in this series.

    “Pace is the main weapon at the end of the day. Even if the wickets are slow it’s still really difficult to get away,” Steyn said Wednesday.

    “The major thing about our quick bowlers is that all three quick bowlers bowl more than 140 kmph…pace on the ball makes it very tough, especially on these conditions.

    “Between the 25th and 30th overs when the ball gets soft and the wicket starts to crumble, it’s difficult to get the quicker bowlers away. Guys who bowl at around 130-135 kmph, it’s slightly easier to face,” he added.

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