Bhajji should go all out for greatness : Harsha Bhogle

[King Tendulkar]

People can bring in all stats they want but any fool can tell that There are much better spinners out there in international cricket (even in India). .

So the statistical fact that he is doing well is to be disregarded by you. Instead we must rely on your opinion. The mob are so unfair

[Ram]

A quick comparison of Bhaji with the best spinner curently In his last 31 tests, Swann has taken 138 wickets Bhajji in his last 31 tests has taken how many? exactly 138 wickets , this despite playing mostly on some of the most docile wicket ever seen in test cricket. And yet all we hear about is how crap Bhajji has been and how brilliant Swann has been.

As much as I am a HUGE advocate for Bhajji, I think this comparison does not do justice to what Graeme Swann has managed to achieve the in the last 3-4 years. He has been far and away, the best spinner my a country mile and to imply that they’re on par with each other based on stats, is not fair, in my opinion. Its not just the number of wickets you take, its also when you take them. Graeme Swann has delivered for Strauss during the most crucial occasions, unlike Bhajji who has, in contrast, had a very patchy record off late. There are some games when looked unplayable, and other games he was completely missing from action.

[ganeshran]

You cannot use test statistics as a barometer for one day ability. I have never denied Bhajji is an invaluable test asset, in spite of his less than stellar average over the last one year or so. http://www.indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=262898 But in ODIs Bhajji is evolving into a defensive containing bowler rather a wicket taking one, which is very worrying because we dont have a stable wicket taking leggie either. Bhajji seems content to go for 45-50 runs in every match and not picking a wicket in the process - this is not what India expects from him.

[King Tendulkar]

Swan has bowled in very favourable conditions. i firmly believe that India is not a favourable place to bowl spin anymore, they do not turn from day 1 and do not break up like they used to. Overseas tracks are now much mre conducvie to spin as at least you get bounce and pitches create rough. Hence Swann loving it England and I believe Bhaji will to. Look at Bhaji in SA, suddenly looked like he was bowling hand grenades. While Swann in contrast came to India for world cup and looked and was rubbish. Bhaji will out bowl Swann in England tour, just like he did in the world cup!

[Ram]

Swan has bowled in very favourable conditions. i firmly believe that India is not a favourable place to bowl spin anymore, they do not turn from day 1 and do not break up like they used to. Overseas tracks are now much mre conducvie to spin as at least you get bounce and pitches create rough. Hence Swann loving it England and I believe Bhaji will to. Look at Bhaji in SA, suddenly looked like he was bowling hand grenades. While Swann in contrast came to India for world cup and looked and was rubbish. Bhaji will out bowl Swann in England tour, just like he did in the world cup!

Even if that happens, that doesn’t mean anything at all. They’re bowling to different sets of batsmen.

[Cricketics]

The reason is very simple. People in India don't have brain. They have short memory when it comes to cricket and hence would even forget if a particular played ever scored a century. I doubt. I will tell you one small instance. I watched 2002 tests at lords with few people in India, and they have forgotten by now that Agarkar scored century in that even though they watched that live. People will also forget how we won us that test against South Africa early last year at home. Bhajji is a true champion bowler and he would continue to be one and eventually I beleive and hope that he will go on to beocme India's highest wicket taker.

[King Tendulkar]

Even if that happens' date=' that doesn’t mean anything at all. They’re bowling to different sets of batsmen.[/quote'] Well in the world cup he out bowled him! Everyone is ready to make excuses when Swann has a mare, Bhaji hgas one game in last odi were he did not even bowl badly and the mob are after him. Its like the 1st odi were he got 3 wickets and was economical is forgotten and never happened. The mob are so selctive He is dammed if he does and dammed if he doesnt.

[vvvslaxman]

Well in the world cup he out bowled him! Everyone is ready to make excuses when Swann has a mare, Bhaji hgas one game in last odi were he did not even bowl badly and the mob are after him. Its like the 1st odi were he got 3 wickets and was economical is forgotten and never happened. The mob are so selctive He is dammed if he does and dammed if he doesnt.

Actually Yuvraj singh outbowled Harbhajan singh. That is what happened. They both bowled to same set of batsmen. As a bowler some bowlers look like taking wicket every ball, some bowlers rely on some brain fart from batsmen. Harbhajan was mostly the 2nd in the world cup and in recent times in ODIs.

[Cricket Tragic]

The reason is very simple. People in India don't have brain. They have short memory when it comes to cricket and hence would even forget if a particular played ever scored a century. I doubt. I will tell you one small instance. I watched 2001 tests at lords with few people in India, and they have forgotten by now that Agarkar scored century in that even though they watched that live. People will also forget how we won us that test against South Africa early last year at home. Bhajji is a true champion bowler and he would continue to be one and eventually I beleive and hope that he will go on to beocme India's highest wicket taker.

:fail:

[Cricketics]

:fail:

Thanks for showing ignorance.. I know it must have taken you 10 minutes or 30 minutes to confirm from cricinfo that game happend in 02. and you were double checking it. EPIC FAIL THERE MATE.. TOO LATE..

[Ram]

Well in the world cup he out bowled him! Everyone is ready to make excuses when Swann has a mare, Bhaji hgas one game in last odi were he did not even bowl badly and the mob are after him. Its like the 1st odi were he got 3 wickets and was economical is forgotten and never happened. The mob are so selctive He is dammed if he does and dammed if he doesnt.

I am not talking about the ‘mob’, I am referring to your point about how you think Bhajji will ‘outbowl’ Swann in the coming series. I exactly know what you have in mind, if that happens. You’re gonna come back here and say ‘See, I told you Bhajji is better bowler..’ :--D Again, just because Bhajji may come out of the coming series with better figures, does not conclusively prove he is better than Swann. You cant do a comparison, until and unless you have them bowling at the same sets of batsmen, under the same conditions..

[Cricket Tragic]

Thanks for showing ignorance.. I know it must have taken you 10 minutes or 30 minutes to confirm from cricinfo that game happend in 02. and you were double checking it. EPIC FAIL THERE MATE.. TOO LATE..

:fail:

[Guest Gunner]

Posted by shwet14 on (June 10 2011, 11:18 AM GMT) I've noticed 2 things about Harbhajan in recent past, particularly after Kumble has retired. Bhajji is a lethal bowler provided he gets a wicket in early part of a spell, then he is a different bowler. But if he doesn't get an early wicket, he tends to become defensive and starts bowling a negative line. An aggressive off spinner will always bowl on off or just outside off line, mixing spinners with straight ones to bamboozle the batsman as to which way the ball will go. Another thing Harbhajan lacks these days is flight. Sppinners beat batsmen either off the pitch or in the air. Hardly ever these days one sees the batsman in 2 minds whether to play forward or back while facing Bhajji. This thing is very obvious in case of swann. He has had quality batsmen in tangles with his variations in flight. Overall, Bhajji is definitely on decline and clearly surviving on his past performance. Posted by Stark62 on (June 10 2011, 11:09 AM GMT) This is a joke! A great bowler always strikes fear on the opposing team; no matter what pitch his playing on or when his given the ball (i.e new ball or old ball). Does Bhajji do that? I don't think so! I rate Mishra more then this guy. Posted by Cricboss.com on (June 10 2011, 11:09 AM GMT) Bhajji needs to work very hard from here on. otherwise leave greatness alone. He will even lose his place in team, but who cares.............ipl........zindabad Posted by sramesh_74 on (June 10 2011, 11:03 AM GMT) Go All Out for Greatness....stop...stop...my sides are beginning to ache with all the laughter. Harbhajan and Harsha have something in common...they should start thinking about alternate careers !!! Go All Out for that ... Harbhajan is a over-rated, over-hyped, under-performing parody of a spinner... Posted by Ajmer Singh Bains on (June 10 2011, 11:03 AM GMT) What makes Harsha think Bhajji is not trying his best already. Face the truth, great or mediocre the real Bhaji is right in front of you. + - 2 to 3% is all you can expect, not a miracle. The way Harsha puts it he seems to say, "Come Bhajji, I know of a shop where greatness is available". Posted by itismenithin on (June 10 2011, 10:57 AM GMT) Amit Mishra was more effective against a substandard WI team in the last ODI. Harbhajan looks worse than a part timer when he is playing badly. He is very happy restricting the batsman and doesn't seem to be really keen to get him out. He needs to change his attitude first if ever wants to be anywhere near the greats. Posted by Ruschil Aggarwal on (June 10 2011, 10:49 AM GMT) It defeats me how someone can use the term 'greatness' so frequently, that it becomes a misnomer. To become great there are thousands of factors that must work right, each of which can easily go wrong. The individual can only make sure that he does all to become the best he can be, rest is destiny. Bhajji should perhaps expand his arsenal, bowl intelligently, but can we leave that to him please. If he is surviving at the top for this long, he must be doing something right! Responding to a comment by manksh_99, he did take 5w in NZ, the summer after Kumble retired. I'm no Bhajji fan, but some criticism is unreasonable Posted by nachami on (June 10 2011, 10:48 AM GMT) To be fair to all bowlers, can we make it mandatory that a bowler has to bowl using only half sleeve shirts please? I read some article on suspect action..... If somebody takes more wicket with suspect action and how should they be compared with other bowlers? Where is the performance yardstick? Posted by Chennai Challenger on (June 10 2011, 10:46 AM GMT) Well. the debate is on.. I think off late, Harbhajan had become quite suspectable and he looks indifferent to me ... I have a strong felling that he is quite dominant when it comes to leadership and I have seen traces of it in WI tour.. I can bet my money to say that Harbhajan would never let any offspinner play for the country till he is playing .. I dont think Dhoni would overlook Harbhajan for anything for reasons which are beyond cricket .I would rate Rahul Sharma as one of the promising off spinner for the country but sad that he came to light in a time where nothing can shake Harbhajan from the throne he is in currently.. To call Harbhajan great is a shame for greats like Murali and Shane Warne who never influenced their Captain and went about doing their business and proved their greatness everytime they are challenged and came back strongly .. He can never be great but will be remembered for his on field arrogance and his attitude towards his game.. Posted by Amit Kale on (June 10 2011, 10:35 AM GMT) Bhajji was born to be great is an over statement. Swann and Ajmal are doing better and are actually better than him. He being No. 1 spinner in India reflects the sad state of affair of Indian spin bowling talent. He does show occasional flashes of brilliance and makes you believe he can be much much better, but then again the ordinary Bhajji takes over and normalcy resumes

These are people from all over India commenting on their opinion about what harby has been doing for the last couple of years. I think everyone can franfly agree that harby was a hugely better bowler before than he is now. Perhaps it is that frustration which makes people upset with him.

[desi pride 1234]

pls turn the ball of the turf mr bajji. i wont rate him as a spinner unless he does that.

[Midfielder]

When Indian batsmen score runs in India, pitches are flat. When Indian spinners take wickets in India, pitches are spin friendly. :hmmm:

So true. Just like a turning wicket is underprepared and bad money is black.

[Midfielder]

I am not talking about the ‘mob’, I am referring to your point about how you think Bhajji will ‘outbowl’ Swann in the coming series. I exactly know what you have in mind, if that happens. You’re gonna come back here and say ‘See, I told you Bhajji is better bowler..’ :--D Again, just because Bhajji may come out of the coming series with better figures, does not conclusively prove he is better than Swann. You cant do a comparison, until and unless you have them bowling at the same sets of batsmen, under the same conditions..

Somewhat agree. Does that mean most of the stats are not meaningfull.

[Midfielder]

Bhajji may have been good in tests but nobody can deny that he was not his best in the World Cup. Even Yuvraj bowled better than him and he was considered our main strike bowler. If it was not for Yuvraj's bowling' date=' Bhajji may have cost the world cup for India. On some pitches where other teams' bowlers were getting good spin and bounce, Bhajji struggled with his line and length.[/quote'] Do you really think Yuvraj is better than him.

[King Tendulkar]

pls turn the ball of the turf mr bajji. i wont rate him as a spinner unless he does that.

if you had watched the 1st odi you would not have posted such nonsense

[NareshK]

Do you really think Yuvraj is better than him.

He certainly bowled much better than him and picked more wickets than him and Yuvraj is not even a specialist bowler.

[Sidhoni]

Bhajji may have been good in tests but nobody can deny that he was not his best in the World Cup. Even Yuvraj bowled better than him and he was considered our main strike bowler. If it was not for Yuvraj's bowling' date=' Bhajji may have cost the world cup for India. On some pitches where other teams' bowlers were getting good spin and bounce, Bhajji struggled with his line and length.[/quote'] He did not get wickets but he put the brakes on the opposition many a time and put pressure on them.