Don't write off Ponting just yet: Harbhajan

[ganeshran]

Canberra: Embattled Ricky Ponting on Wednesday received support from an unexpected quarter in the form of Harbhajan Singh who said it is a big mistake to write off the former Aussie skipper. The out-of-favour Indian off-spinner, who had plenty of fiery exchanges with Ponting over the years, especially after the 'Monkeygate' scandal in the 2008 Sydney Test, surprisingly put his weight behind the Australian and asked him to defy his growing band of critics. "I do not think Ponting is finished and I think people are making a big mistake by writing him off," he said. "Two years ago, people were saying the same things about Rahul Dravid (who averages 60 from 11 Tests this year) as what they are saying about Ponting now. Look what Dravid has done. He is a great player who has found his greatness again. I am sure Ponting will do the same," Harbhajan, who has dismissed Ponting more number of times than anyone else, added. The 31-year-old spinner also said that cricketers of Ponting's stature should be given due respect. "Guys like Ponting, Dravid and (Sachin) Tendulkar know what they are doing and people should stop questioning them. People should respect them for what they have done for the game and should respect them if they think they can bat on and contribute to cricket. "The fans in Australia should not put pressure on Ponting. They should just accept he has been given a chance to keep playing and they should get right behind him and support him. Ponting is only one innings away from finding his top form," the bowler insisted . Harbhajan, who has been left out of the touring Indian Test squad, predicted that India would dominate in the four-Test series against Australia, starting on December 26. "This Australian side is a lot weaker than sides of the past. There is no Adam Gilchrist or Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath. India have definitely got a very good chance to beat them on their home soil. I don't want to predict a scoreline but I am sure India will do very well," he said.

http://cricketnext.in.com/news/dont-write-off-ponting-just-yet-harbhajan/62273-13.html

[Raghav_12]

In another article in Aus media, it has been reported that Harbhajan is not in team because of shin injury. I http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/indians-to-target-aussie-spinner-nathan-lyon/story-e6frfg8o-1226222433381

Indians to target Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon * by: Ben Dorries * From: Herald Sun * December 15, 2011 12:00AM Indian spinning great Harbhajan Singh likes what he has seen of Australia's latest spin discovery, but says Lyon should prepare for a brutal initiation against the world's best players of spin. "I've watched a bit of Lyon on television and I think he has got a bit about him, he looks like he could develop into a good spinner for Australia," Harbhajan, speaking from India where he will sit out the Australian series because of a shin injury, told the Herald Sun. "But I'm not sure he knows what a big challenge is around the corner for him. "There are few better players of spin than batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag. Lyon will have his hands full bowling to those guys." And the Indian batting power does not end there, with the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar, veteran run machine V.V.S Laxman and big-hitting captain M.S Dhoni and opener Gautam Gambhir also on tour. "Sehwag is a guy who likes to play his shots and it will be a big learning series for the new Australian spinner. It will be quite an experience for him. "India has got a strong batting side and it will be a big battle for the spinner (Lyon) and all the rest of the Australian bowlers." Lyon is the 12th Australian Test spinner since Shane Warne retired, but the former Adelaide Oval groundsman has taken just seven Tests to show he may be the answer to the national side's spin woes. The unassuming 24-year-old offie already has 22 Test wickets at the impressive average of 24.59 and has showed he is not afraid to throw the ball up, using loop and drift to deceive batsmen. Bryce McGain, playing in the Big Bash for the Adelaide Strikers, is one of the 12 players to be tried after Warne and says the level of support being shown to Lyon was a key factor in his early success. McGain played a sole, wicketless Test in South Africa in 2009. "I think the first thing is Nathan has the support of the group and selectors," McGain said. "He has had a good run at it and the confidence to be able to bowl his way, spin the ball up, set really good fields. "Michael Clarke has done that well in the games he has played." Former Victorian McGain said national selectors - with a push from South Australian coach Darren Berry - had learnt from the carnage faced by the dozen tweakers who followed Warne from 2007. "They are allowing Nathan to play to his strengths," McGain said.

:--D Is it some thing what Bhajji told them or Aussies showing some respect for Harbhajan ?

[Magneto]

Ponting might say the same thing about Harbhajan as well. When in trouble, everyone becomes friends.

[b555]

first compared him with tendulkar and a race for centuries was put up now compare him with dravid, the new old age comeback hero of test cricket next what? compare him with yuvraj singh to fight for a spot in tests and justify himself ??

[chainsmoker]

Australians actually like Bhajji. They like his fighting spirit and aggressive attitude. Some Australian player just recently said that Bhajji is very much like Australians

[BERGKAMP]

Australians actually like Bhajji. They like his fighting spirit and aggressive attitude. Some Australian player just recently said that Bhajji is very much like Australians

Yeah the new generation Aussie players, i.e. not very good at cricket.

[Old guy]

im not even gonna read.. now punter ,bhajji becoming frnds sigh

[Old guy]

ok so i did read it it this is lame people should support him..i hate when some one says says gr8 players hsould not be dropped they know the best blab blab ur gr8 cos of performance if u cant perform get out of team, even dravid ws gonna get dropped in 1-2 matches if he would'nt have performed ponting needs to perform he did get 2 fifties and thts why he is still in team if he flops against india in first test he is done

[Magneto]

im not even gonna read.. now punter ,bhajji becoming frnds sigh

Bhajji and Symonds are already good friends.

[bulbul]

Bhajji's mind games :winky: on serious note looks like genuine comments from Bhajji instead of chest thumping comments he normally do when he is in team.. But i doubt punter plays well....his days are over..

[Old guy]

Bhajji and Symonds are already good friends.

was sydney just a drama? :nervous:

[Magneto]

was sydney just a drama? :nervous:

They've become good friends after playing for the same team at the IPL. Good to see sworn enemies becoming friends. :-)

[Old guy]

They've become good friends after playing for the same team at the IPL. Good to see sworn enemies becoming friends. :-)

well now both are out of there respective teams it does not matter and now even ponting is on the verge of getting sacked who else was enemy of bhajji? sreesanth even he is out umm something is fishy here :cantstop:

[Needforspeed]

was sydney just a drama? :nervous:

Its like hindi films friend...Pehle takrar bhir pyar.:giggle:

[Prakat]

And when I say Ponting I mean Ponting.

[Stuge]

With the guys like Vinay kumar and company I expect pointing to Kill us.

[chainsmoker]

well now both are out of there respective teams it does not matter and now even ponting is on the verge of getting sacked who else was enemy of bhajji? sreesanth even he is out umm something is fishy here :cantstop:

You are thinking too much my friend :icflove:

[Holysmoke]

Don't write off Harbhajan just yet : Ponting.

[Old guy]

You are thinking too much my friend :icflove:

i need sleep and probably a life

[achilles]