Harbhajan Singh : the only No. 8 in test cricket to score back-to-back Test centuries.

[Sid]

We don't have any noteably good bowlers knocking at the doors.. how about another hard hitting all-rounder.. Irfan/Yousuf Pathan/Ashwin IMO, that would really give us some batting depth in the WC

Ashwin anyday

[Ram]

Thsoe were truly 2 stunning 100s. This is not the first time tail-enders have scored 100s. Irfan has a 100, Agarkar has a 100, even Kumble has one. What separates Bhajji's double from the rest is the time he chose to score those runs. The first one was a truly breathtaking effort that saved us som terrible blushes. The 2nd one, while not so imminently critical, still could be the difference b/w an India defeat or draw, even a win. Had we been bowled out for 370 odd in thre first innings, there's no telling what the match would have looked like, going into day 5. But to be brutally honest, it is not an entirely pleasing sight to see a non-specialists batsmen simply stand his ground, clear his front leg and clout bowlers over the sight-screen with disdain. Whether that is a reflection of how good the batsmen is, or how flat the pitches are or mediocre the bowling is.. no one really knows. Its probably the combination of all the three.

[hari504504]

it is not an entirely pleasing sight to see a non-specialists batsmen simply stand his ground' date=' clear his front leg and clout bowlers over the sight-screen with disdain. [/quote'] His innings wasn't all slogs.. he did grind it out a bit too.

[ZodiaC]

Thsoe were truly 2 stunning 100s. This is not the first time tail-enders have scored 100s. Irfan has a 100, Agarkar has a 100, even Kumble has one. What separates Bhajji's double from the rest is the time he chose to score those runs. The first one was a truly breathtaking effort that saved us som terrible blushes. The 2nd one, while not so imminently critical, still could be the difference b/w an India defeat or draw, even a win. Had we been bowled out for 370 odd in thre first innings, there's no telling what the match would have looked like, going into day 5. But to be brutally honest, it is not an entirely pleasing sight to see a non-specialists batsmen simply stand his ground, clear his front leg and clout bowlers over the sight-screen with disdain. Whether that is a reflection of how good the batsmen is, or how flat the pitches are or mediocre the bowling is.. no one really knows. Its probably the combination of all the three.

Irfan is not a tailender :headshake: And Kumbles was a much composed Innings, he also nearly saved our ass in Sydney test, but Ishanth :(( And I agree with you to an extent, still lets not take anything away from Bhajji, we would've been looking at 1-0 or probably even 2-0 without his innings. And what's more, no more Jaddu in the ODI side. :--D Bhajji :cheer:

[Ram]

His innings wasn't all slogs.. he did grind it out a bit too.

Oh no, I am not for a moment suggesting that Bhajji slogged his way out of trouble, either in first test or this one. But I really do think that there should be a semblance of a battle b/w bat and ball at all times. Once again, this is no way to knock down Bhajji’s accomplishment. I think he batted fantastically and is one of the biggest reason why we are not trailing the series 0-1, or 0-2, by the end of this match.

[King Tendulkar]

His batting was much improved in that you see all his power shots were in the V. Look at his 2 tons shot map the 4s and 6s were all blasted straight. In that last year he became to cross batted and kept going for cow corner or too much improvisation. I think thats why after first ton he impersonated sachin in playing straight. I am sure his good mate sachin advised to play more in the V and it worked

[achilles]

What are you trying to say' date='if his batting improves,that will allow one more bowler in the team ,not a batsman,lol[/quote'] Oh right, lets play the "I like to clap more than taking wickets" R Ashwiin. What a pick, Sir :cheer: Look, we lack a big hitter down the order. Dhoni persisted with Yusuf for as long as he did because we need a batsman who can score fast down the order, around #7. I know you know that. We have a lot of part-timers already and we don't another spinner. Also, Ojha, Mishra and Jadeja are way above in the reckoning list than Ashwin. Part-time spinners-

1. Yuvraj Singh
2. Virender Sehwag
3. Sachin Tendulkar
4. Suresh Raina
5. Rohit Sharma/Virat Kohli (when either is playing)

So 3 Pace + 1 Spinner (Bhajji) and 7 batters is a good strategy. Hence, proved.

[Sid]

Oh right' date= lets play the "I like to clap more than taking wickets" R Ashwiin. What a pick, Sir :cheer: Look, we lack a big hitter down the order. Dhoni persisted with Yusuf for as long as he did because we need a batsman who can score fast down the order, around #7. I know you know that. We have a lot of part-timers already and we don't another spinner. Also, Ojha, Mishra and Jadeja are way above in the reckoning list than Ashwin. Part-time spinners-

1. Yuvraj Singh
2. Virender Sehwag
3. Sachin Tendulkar
4. Suresh Raina
5. Rohit Sharma/Virat Kohli (when either is playing)

So 3 Pace + 1 Spinner (Bhajji) and 7 batters is a good strategy. Hence, proved.

Well we need a wicket taking option in middle overs and also someone who can surprise the oppostion with his variatrion which Ashwin has and also he can contribute at no.7 or 8 with quick runs,for me he is more of a attacking spinner than bhajji And also bhajji and ashwin together should be good combo,both of them can be used in PP as well.The team which will have more wicket taking options,willl triumph in world cup,if you are thinking of relying on part timers on dead flat tracks,then you surely knoe someting that I dont. 7 batsmen theory will be a big fail in the world cup as on these flat tracks every teams batting will neutralize itself,it will be upto the bowling attack that will determine team's success

[CSK Fan]

Can he make 500+ in a test series(which Sachin hasnt till date)

[achilles]

Well we need a wicket taking option in middle overs and also someone who can surprise the oppostion with his variatrion which Ashwin has and also he can contribute at no.7 or 8 with quick runs,for me he is more of a attacking spinner than bhajji And also bhajji and ashwin together should be good combo,both of them can be used in PP as well.The team which will have more wicket taking options,willl triumph in world cup,if you are thinking of relying on part timers on dead flat tracks,then you surely knoe someting that I dont. 7 batsmen theory will be a big fail in the world cup as on these flat tracks every teams batting will neutralize itself,it will be upto the bowling attack that will determine team's success

Buddy, 2 off-spinners don't exactly offer variation. If you would've said Mishraji or Ojha, it would've still counted. Also, Jadeja has performed with the ball, no matter how much we hate him. The only way he can be shown the door is if Bhajji takes his place and makes room for another player. If we want to play another bowler per se, I'd pick Irfan for his say 6-8 overs and maybe a handy 30 off 15 while batting. But not Ashwiin. He can get into the team the day Bhajji moves out but I doubt before that he'll be able to jump the queue. He's played in the "A tour to Zimbabwe" but was okay there. Ojha's better I feel. Or for the simple sake of variation, Mishra. PS- I've got no issues with Ashwiin. I simply think he's not ready.

Can he make 500+ in a test series(which Sachin hasnt till date)

C'mon maaaan. He's a Lower order bat

[King Tendulkar]

Also' date=' Jadeja has performed with the ball, no matter how much we hate him. :[/quote'] That part is true and widely ignored. I am no fan but he has done well with ball, is that enough to keep him in side though?

[achilles]

That part is true and widely ignored. I am no fan but he has done well with ball' date=' is that enough to keep him in side though?[/quote'] No. Thats like saying Nehra is the best ODI bowler in the past 2 yrs, which he maybe is... but argh, Jadeja needs to improve his bloody batting. But the reason he holds on is coz he's good with his craft. However, Yuvi bowled 8-10 overs in a game recently and Jaddu was dropped in the game. i think the message went across.

[yoda]

May be it is time to try our top order bats at bowling? :winky:

[Sid]

Buddy, 2 off-spinners don't exactly offer variation. If you would've said Mishraji or Ojha, it would've still counted. Also, Jadeja has performed with the ball, no matter how much we hate him. The only way he can be shown the door is if Bhajji takes his place and makes room for another player. If we want to play another bowler per se, I'd pick Irfan for his say 6-8 overs and maybe a handy 30 off 15 while batting. But not Ashwiin. He can get into the team the day Bhajji moves out but I doubt before that he'll be able to jump the queue. He's played in the "A tour to Zimbabwe" but was okay there. Ojha's better I feel. Or for the simple sake of variation, Mishra. PS- I've got no issues with Ashwiin. I simply think he's not ready.

Well these 2 are not similar offspinners,and also we have seen with SL who play with Randiv and Murali together and very successfully at that and we can have the same thing with these 2 offies Well you have your opinion,I have mine,better let it stay that way and lets not waste a Bhajji's ton celebration thread for that :tounge_smile:

[achilles]

Well these 2 are not similar offspinners,and also we have seen with SL who play with Randiv and Murali together and very successfully at that and we can have the same thing with these 2 offies Well you have your opinion,I have mine,better let it stay that way and lets not waste a Bhajji's ton celebration thread for that :tounge_smile:

Yes. Lets agree to disagree and sink in the moment. Saw the highlights package. Boy, Bhajji was on absolute fire. And that 100 moment was phenomenal. :two_thumbs_up:

[Sid]

Yes. Lets agree to disagree and sink in the moment. Saw the highlights package. Boy' date=' Bhajji was on absolute fire. And that 100 moment was phenomenal. :two_thumbs_up:[/quote'] Yep :two_thumbs_up:

[littlemaster1982]

Number of centuries in the year 2010, Harbhajan Singh: 2 Ricky Ponting: 1 :punter: :hehe:

[Lord]

Number of centuries in the year 2010, Harbhajan Singh: 2 Ricky Ponting: 1 :punter: :hehe:

:cantstop:

[littlemaster1982]

Found this in another forum, tbh :--D

[King Tendulkar]

Number of centuries in the year 2010, Harbhajan Singh: 2 Ricky Ponting: 1 :punter: :hehe:

:hysterical: