Press Trust of India
Kolkata, Oct 7: They might have lost the T20 cricket series to South Africa but Indian ace spinner Harbhajan Singh said Wednesday that it’s too early to write them off as the hosts are keen to turn around their fortunes in the last and final match here Thursday.
“We have lost the series but we still have a lot to play for in the final game. Hopefully we will win tomorrow (Thursday) and from there onwards it could be a different story,” Harbhajan told reporters on the eve of the match here Wednesday.
“The ODIs are coming up and then the Tests. We want to play our best game and we want to put up our best show. Once we start winning we will be a difficult side to beat,” the off-spinner added.
Citing example of the recently-concluded Test series in Sri Lanka where India bounced back to win the series after losing the first match, Harbhajan said: “It was because of the belief that we had in our abilities. Every game is a challenge for us from here on. Obviously winning here will mean a lot to us. We will go out there and give it our best shot. If we win here, we will take that confidence into the ODI series.”
Harbhajan, who’s India’s highest wicket-taking off-spinner, said it’s about backing the home spinners ahead of the next year’s World Twenty20. “I think it is important to back the players who are probably the best players for the format,” asserted the man who was once termed the ‘Turbanator’. “Spin has been India’s strength and obviously we will be playing the competition in India and lot of tracks will be supporting the slower bowlers,” he added.
Ending at Eden
Kolkata: As much as Eden Gardens belongs to VVS Laxman for his epic 281 against Australia in that historic Test, it is also Harbhajan Singh’s spiritual home for the 13 wickets that he took in that particular match including a hat-trick. Keeping that in mind Harbhajan wants to bid adieu to international cricket by playing his last Test at the Eden Gardens. “I have not planned anything but yes, whenever I hang up my boots, I would like it to be at the Eden Gardens. I would like to play my last Test here, if possible,” Harbhajan stated here Wednesday. “Eden is a very special place. Playing cricket in Eden is always special. This is like coming home and playing cricket,” added the man who took five wickets to help India retain their No. 1 Test status after beating South Africa by an innings and 57 runs in 2010.