Harbhajan Singh (bowling) under the scanner: a.k.a The Spin Crisis

[fineleg]

How much do India miss Anil Kumble? At the risk of inviting irate reactions from the old romantics, more than they've ever missed any other bowler. In home conditions, Kumble was in a class of his own. Bishan Bedi, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Erapalli Prasanna don't even come close, and Harbhajan Singh must reinvent himself drastically if he's to have anything like the same impact in the second half of his career. So much has been written about Monty Panesar's travails in India that the performances of Harbhajan and Amit Mishra in Chennai have slipped under the radar. Michael Atherton pointed them out in a typically astute column in the Times, and it's worth remembering just how comfortably Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood played Harbhajan from deep inside the crease. It's far too early to make an assessment of Mishra's qualities, but Harbhajan is bound to come under the scanner now that he's the senior spin bowler in the side. To analyse his career, it's necessary to break it into two significant portions. Having made his debut in 1998, he only established himself in the side after the 32-wicket heroics against Steve Waugh's team in 2001. Kumble was recuperating from shoulder surgery at the time, but from that point on, it was Harbhajan that was the frontline spinner until he faced finger surgery of his own after the Gabba Test of 2003. Kumble, who got his chance in the next game in Adelaide, didn't waste it, and Harbhajan was once again back to support-spinner status when he returned against Australia in October 2004. Though he enjoyed a fine series with 21 wickets, it was Kumble who grabbed the headlines, especially on the opening day in Chennai where he took 7 for 48. Before that finger injury in 2003, Harbhajan's home record was superior even to Kumble, though it's not necessarily fair to compare 18 Tests with 63. Over the 63 games he played in India, Kumble took a staggering 350 wickets at 24.88 and a strike-rate of 59.4. Of the golden oldies, Bedi had the best average [23.99, albeit at a strike-rate of 75.8], while Chandrasekhar had the best strike-rate [64.6]. Kumble's own figures were inflated during the course of a wretched final year, when a succession of injuries restricted him to just seven wickets at considerable cost from four Tests. Prior to his injury, Harbhajan had taken 96 wickets at 23.33 from 18 Tests. The strike-rate [56.2] too was in the Kumble category. Since returning though, he hasn't been anything like as effective. The 23 Tests since October 2004 have seen him take 114 wickets at 29.78, and a strike-rate of 64.5. The only ten-wicket hauls were against Australia [2004, in a match India lost heavily in Bangalore] and Sri Lanka [Ahmedabad 2005]. Too often, the five-wicket hauls have been meaningless ones, with teams throwing the bat around after raising huge totals. So, what has changed? The pitches, undoubtedly. The rank turners that Kumble had so much success on in the mid-1990s are largely a thing of the past, and when they do make an appearance [Mumbai 2004 and Kanpur 2008], visiting teams invariably run off crying to the ICC. But blaming the pitches alone would be a cop-out, a failure to admit that Indian spin is in crisis. Murali Kartik is highly rated on the county circuit, but that opinion doesn't seem to be shared by India's selectors, despite 22 wickets at 25.77 in his six home Tests Atherton summed up Harbhajan's predicament perfectly in his column. "I am not entirely sure that Harbhajan is the bowler he used to be, now that an overextended use of the doosra - the ball that spins to the off - has affected his ability to drift and spin his stock ball, the offspinner," he wrote. It's something other commentators have been saying for years, and was best illustrated in Sri Lanka a few months ago, when Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan made India's spinners look second-rate. Both Harbhajan and Mishra will undoubtedly play in Mohali. Just two months ago, they took 12 wickets between them as Australia were routed. It's worth pointing out though that whenever Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants to keep the runs down or take a crucial wicket, it's the pace bowlers and reverse-swing that he turns to. Even in Chennai, it was mainly Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan that reduced England to a fourth-day crawl, with Ishant summoning a superb spell to dismiss Andrew Flintoff. So, what are India's options when it comes to spin? Not very many. Piyush Chawla did nothing in his two Tests, and Pragyan Ojha is just as unproven. Murali Kartik is highly rated on the county circuit, but that opinion doesn't seem to be shared by India's selectors, despite 22 wickets at 25.77 in his six home Tests. With quite a few pace options waiting in the wings - Munaf Patel and a fit-again Sreesanth would definitely add value to the side - it's not unthinkable India will soon go the Australian way (Doc will be :yay:). For the best part of 15 years, they played mainly three fast bowlers alongside Shane Warne. Sadly for India, there's no Warne on the horizon, and it's up to Harbhajan and Mishra to prove that they can at least partially fill the breach left by Kumble's retirement.

[King Tendulkar]

Tell atherton he is ranked 10 in the world, Second highest ranked spinner after Murali. He also has took the second highest amount of wickets after Steyn in 2008. So basically Atherton is talking rubbish and is suddenly an expert on indian cricket after watching 1 test match. Also Finey have the balls to post your opions instead of not having the balls and posting what you think through weird links and articles by others. I have noticed this is a growing trend with you. As when the content of the article is slaughterd you then claim I only posted it.

[Laaloo]

Just a few more test matches before the Indian selectors realize how toothless Harbhajans bowling really is. It doesn't matter how many runs he scores, at the end of the day his job is to get wickets, which he is not able to do these days except when its a minefield.

[fineleg]

Tell atherton he is ranked 10 in the world, Second highest ranked spinner after Murali. He also has took the second highest amount of wickets after Steyn in 2008. So basically Atherton is talking rubbish and is suddenly an expert on indian cricket after watching 1 test match. Also Finey have the balls to post your opions instead of not having the balls and posting what you think through weird links and articles by others. I have noticed this is a growing trend with you. As when the content of the article is slaughterd you then claim I only posted it.

It does not matter what Atherton is ranked for him to write his observations. Thats a pants remark from you. I've said abt HS before and will say again: He is hardly to be considered our "leader" of the spin attack. Leader of the spin attack should be more consistent. Its inexplicable the way HS bowled in Chennai - getting wickets or not is one thing, but bowling cra.p line and length is unjustifiable - for heavensake, Krezja and Swann are 'gora debutant spinners' and have been more impressive. Bhajji needs to improve his game drastically. No two ways about it. (And pls. dont bring his batting here - we are talking spin bowling)

[King Tendulkar]

He is the second highest wicket taker in 2008. Please explain the two trollers above how this is bad performance? And if it is seen as bad performance were does that leave all the other bowlers who have took less wickets then him this year? I repeat second highest wicket taker in tests in 2008

[Laaloo]

He's the shahid afridi version of India. Pak fans use his "bowling" as an excuse to keep him in the team. And SOME indian fans use harbhajans 'batting" as an excuse.

[fineleg]

dsr, did u see the manner he bowled in chennai? Obv he has the ability and talent. No one grudges him that. But where is the commitment to do well? Ok, you had an off bowling in 1st Inn, can't you improve and show commitment in 2nd Inn, rather than bowling stupid line and length!? and allowing ENGLAND BATSMEN (who are usually poor against spin) and pants like Collingwood to play you easily!?

[Ram]

Nonsense; This guy has been driving the team with his passion and fire and is one of main motivating factors of our resurgence. Tallking of record, which spinner of today has a good record anyway? Most of the world's elite spinners, incl. Vettori, Kaneria, Panesar average well above the 30s in the recent times. The lone exceptions have been Mendis and Murali. Its a time tough for spinners nowadays.

[King Tendulkar]

dsr, did u see the manner he bowled in chennai? Obv he has the ability and talent. No one grudges him that. But where is the commitment to do well? Ok, you had an off bowling in 1st Inn, can't you improve and show commitment in 2nd Inn, rather than bowling stupid line and length!? and allowing ENGLAND BATSMEN (who are usually poor against spin) and pants like Collingwood to play you easily!?

Commitment... Thats one thing you can never doubt with bhaji. His runs were crucial to win 1 not so great game. So what. So you drop players after one game? Wow great cricket logic. Lets hope sehwag does not fail in mohali as no doubt you will call for his head as well.

[King Tendulkar]

totally agree

[Laaloo]

He is the second highest wicket taker in 2008. Please explain the two trollers above how this is bad performance? And if it is seen as bad performance were does that leave all the other bowlers who have took less wickets then him this year? I repeat second highest wicket taker in tests in 2008

http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;spanmin1=17+Dec+2007;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling Look at the amount of overs he has bowled and most of it has been on Indian pitches. He's bowled 719 overs in 13 test matches. The next best is Lee who has bowled 543 overs, and that's a difference of 176 overs. And they've taken the same number of wickets although lee has played 1 more match. U NOOB!

[fineleg]

Commitment... Thats one thing you can never doubt with bhaji. His runs were crucial to win 1 not so great game. So what. So you drop players after one game? Wow great cricket logic. Lets hope sehwag does not fail in mohali as no doubt you will call for his head as well.

no one called for head, or asked Harbhajan Singh to be dropped. Thats putting words in my mouth. There was criticism of the way he bowled, and talk abt lack of a leader of spin after Kumble and that is justified. No one said anything abt dropping him. (and for the upmteenth time, we are not talking batting, we are talking abt bowling)

[Ram]

I think for once we should put aside records and look at the larger picuture. Bhajji is one of the architects of our victory against the Awfulsies, not just with his bowling and important runs, but the way he took them on head-on with aggression and fire must have rattled them quite a bit. For the first time, an opposition team was winning the war of words against them. He's doing just fine. Yes, he could have done better, but look around, how many spinners are doing well nowadays anyway? Kaneria is long gone. Panesar's record is on the steady decline while Vettori, for all his acclaims, still has a relatively mediocre record. Murali has been steady, whille Mendis has been the lone exception.

[King Tendulkar]

no one called for head, or asked Harbhajan Singh to be dropped. Thats putting words in my mouth. There was criticism of the way he bowled, and talk abt lack of a leader of spin after Kumble and that is justified. No one said anything abt dropping him. (and for the upmteenth time, we are not talking batting, we are talking abt bowling)

We have had a brilliant year and he has been the lead spinner. He has picked up lots of wickets and contributed big time. Yeah he may not be a murali or mendis but then who is? His batting can also not be ignored. We would not have won last test without his batting contribution, so to doubt his commitment is pathetic

[Laaloo]

marirs Is vettori given tailor made pitches for spinning by NZ? He's the leader of the bowling attack. He's also the captain. More pressure, more responsibilities. And harbhajan? Zak and Ishant has gotten most of the vital breakthroughs and still bhajji is struggling. Don't think we can be a competitive team if Bhajji continues his toothless bowling. He needs to man up and take more responsibilities. If not, then either murali kartik or ohja should be given chances to showcase their talents.

[King Tendulkar]

er ranked number 10 in world and second highest wicket taker this year. Really this thread is a joke

[Laaloo]

er ranked number 10 in world and second highest wicket taker this year. Really this thread is a joke

You still havent replied to post # 11.

[fineleg]

er ranked number 10 in world and second highest wicket taker this year. Really this thread is a joke

Yes, because Atherton who is not "ranked", his comments also has to be disregarded, even if he is making some pertinent points. Right.

[Ram]

marirs Is vettori given tailor made pitches for spinning by NZ? He's the leader of the bowling attack. He's also the captain. More pressure, more responsibilities. And harbhajan? Zak and Ishant has gotten most of the vital breakthroughs and still bhajji is struggling. Don't think we can be a competitive team if Bhajji continues his toothless bowling. He needs to man up and take more responsibilities. If not, then either murali kartik or ohja should be given chances to showcase their talents.

We CANT be competitive? Dude, we just won a series against Australia and are on the verge of another one against England. If this isnt competitive, I dont know what is. And whats with Vettori being the captain? Besides, its not as though he averaged 25 with the ball when he was non-captain anyway. The reason why Bhajji is so important is his attitude. Most of us here agree that the Indian teams of the past have been too feeble and Bhajji brings in that X-factor into our team, which is why we shouldnt merely quantify his contribution in numbers alone.

[King Tendulkar]

http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;spanmin1=17+Dec+2007;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling Look at the amount of overs he has bowled and most of it has been on Indian pitches. He's bowled 719 overs in 13 test matches. The next best is Lee who has bowled 543 overs, and that's a difference of 176 overs. And they've taken the same number of wickets although lee has played 1 more match. U NOOB!

Testament to his stamina and perserverance. Brilliant year for Bhaji and trolls like you take pot shots