Is the pressure finally getting to Harby?

[OZGOD]

Dhoni has defended his out of form spinner, saying he will "come good".

Dhoni backs Harbhajan By Daniel Pace February 27, 2008 INDIA captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has defended the bowling form of spinner Harbhajan Singh ahead of next week's tri-series finals against Australia. A focus of Australia's “mental disintegration” tactics after on-field spats this summer and labelled an “obnoxious weed” by Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan has failed to fire in the one-day internationals, taking just five wickets at 39 in eight matches. But Dhoni said his performances against Australia and Sri Lanka were better than those figures suggested. “Harbhajan has done really well in the series so far, especially in the last game (against Australia),” Dhoni said. “He bowled during the power plays and with field restrictions. He's not getting loads of wickets but you can see his contribution is very important.” One India bowler continuing to make a big impact is beanpole quick Ishant Sharma, who claimed 4-41 in a devastating spell against Sri Lanka on a flat pitch. Sharma, 19, will be a crucial figure in the best-of-three finals starting in Sydney on Sunday but Dhoni warned he'd need a break after this series to avoid burnout. “Ishant needs rest. He has been bowling throughout the Test series and the one-day series,” Dhoni pointed out. “You have to be very careful with the careers of the fast bowlers. You can't just use them as disposable items. You have to give them rest in between (series) so that they can serve Indian cricket for a long time and that's very important.” Dhoni predicted an exciting finals series with rival batting greats Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar returning to their spectacular best at the right time. Australia captain Ponting went into the last match against India in Sydney with just 64 runs at 10.6 in the series but played his way into form with a confident 124 in the 18-run win. “It's just like a bomb waiting to explode,” said Dhoni. ”He has got into form, Sachin (Tendulkar) is back in form. “As the rest of the guys from our side are contributing I expect a good three one-day final matches.” Tendulkar notched his highest score of the tournament yesterday, belting 63 runs off 54 balls at Bellerive Oval as India sent Sri Lanka crashing out of finals contention. India will enjoy a four-day break before the first final while Australia and Sri Lanka clash in a dead rubber in Melbourne on Friday. Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene was reluctant to pick a winner but believed the team which triumphed in game one at the SCG would go on to claim the series. “The Aussies haven't been playing to their usual standards but they've kept winning,” Jayawardene noted. “They can come back from certain situations and win matches which is something every team is trying to do. “The Indians have shown form towards the latter part of the tournament so it should be a very good best-of-three finals.” Agence France-Presse http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23212,00.html

[voodooray]

Harbhajan has not been performing for a long time now, but keeps getting picked because of his past performances. He had a good T20 WC, but hasn't done squat since then. He can't take wickets to save his life. I'm really disappointed India didn't play Piyush Chawla a single time in this entire series.

[OZGOD]

What happened to Murali Kartik? I thought he was alright.

[jackal786]

Ian chappell has pointed out this several times. He is more focussed on being economic than taking wickets these days.

[Temujin Khaghan]

Originally Posted by jackal786 Ian chappell has pointed out this several times. He is more focussed on being economic than taking wickets these days.

its pretty wierd actually, he wants to be aggressive on the outside but he is defensive in his approach - he bowls flat...afraid to give it some flight.

[PlanetPakistan]

Do you guys see the trend?

Sehwag- Not good enough to be in the team.
Sreesanth- Ditto
Bhajji- Ditto

[jackal786]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan Do you guys see the trend? Sehwag- Not good enough to be in the team. Sreesanth- Ditto Bhajji- Ditto

Sehwag never a great ODI player all his career. He sure scored occasionally. So that is not surprising.

Sreesanth over-thinking bowler instead of keeping it simple which cost him more than gained him


Bhajji - Don't see him getting dropped despite lack of wickets. He is still a great weapon even in the death overs and inside powerplay. Remember he bowled 50th over other day.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by jackal786 Sehwag never a great ODI player all his career. He sure scored occasionally. So that is not surprising. Sreesanth over-thinking bowler instead of keeping it simple which cost him more than gained him Bhajji - Don't see him getting dropped despite lack of wickets. He is still a great weapon even in the death overs and inside powerplay. Remember he bowled 50th over other day.

It is quite clear to me that all three of them have put far too much pressure on themselves by trying to hype themselves/their team or taking a shot at the opponents.

[akram_rejuvinated]

he was quite brilliant in the test series. and in the one days, do notice that he has not been called upon to bowl out the oppositions, but to contain them, and to fill the allotment of runs. save for the last india-australia match, scoring against the indian quicks has been virtually impossible and they are the ones who claim the lion's share of the wickets.

besides, it is never easy to come into the game at the 20th-25th over junction when the opposition is either too cautious due to loss of early wickets or an a steady rampage with a good eye in.

say what you might, but outside murlitharan, he is the best contemporary spinner in the world.

[akram_rejuvinated]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan It is quite clear to me that all three of them have put far too much pressure on themselves by trying to hype themselves/their team or taking a shot at the opponents.

dont know about sehwag and harbhajan (especially harbhajan, his personal ego might not permit him to put 'pressure' on himself to perform, probably feels that it would come to him inevitably), but in sreesanth's case that is probably a very accurate analysis.

that bloke needs to chill. pop open a cold sud and bask in the afternoon sun a bit. he does not need to uproot hayden's middle every game. he has a job, partner and shepherd his fellow bowling mates, and adhere to that first, and settle personal vendettas later. he had a fantastic T20, but lost track after the first two games in this series when he tried to pull a napolean: conquer it all!

[OzPride]

I still like Srees and Harbys aggression though, they wouldnt be half the players if they lost it.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by farewell_gilchrist he was quite brilliant in the test series. and in the one days, do notice that he has not been called upon to bowl out the oppositions, but to contain them, and to fill the allotment of runs. save for the last india-australia match, scoring against the indian quicks has been virtually impossible and they are the ones who claim the lion's share of the wickets. besides, it is never easy to come into the game at the 20th-25th over junction when the opposition is either too cautious due to loss of early wickets or an a steady rampage with a good eye in. say what you might, but outside murlitharan, he is the best contemporary spinner in the world.

Hope you are not being serious. He was really bad in tests picking up cheap wickets. He has been cr@p both i tests and ODIs for around 2 years now!

[muthoo]

It may be a case of too little pressure to perform rather than too much. His place is seemingly secure even without wickets.

[Rajan]

Harbhajan does not deserve his place in the test team or one day team.
Murali Karthik is far better as a bowler, especially in the one dayers.
it is sheer bad luck that Murali is out of the team but i hope he will be picked sooner than later.

[OzPride]

Murali Karthik has usually gone well against Aus, how come he isnt picked?

[Rajan]

Originally Posted by OzPride Murali Karthik has usually gone well against Aus, how come he isnt picked?

Strange selection. they have packed the team with more medium pacers because the seamers were breaking down with alarming regularity.

[siimo]

I think Chawla the young leg spinner should have gotten a game, he is an attacking spinner unlike Harbhajan. Even Ramesh Powar looks for wickets.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by Indiafan Hope you are not being serious. He was really bad in tests picking up cheap wickets. He has been cr@p both i tests and ODIs for around 2 years now!

Yep he was completely useless in the Tests except for being able to get Ponting out - which actually said more about Ponting's ability to play spin first up than Harby's bowling. Seems afraid to try and get the batsman out.

[Sheikh]

Originally Posted by farewell_gilchrist he was quite brilliant in the test series. and in the one days, do notice that he has not been called upon to bowl out the oppositions, but to contain them, and to fill the allotment of runs. save for the last india-australia match, scoring against the indian quicks has been virtually impossible and they are the ones who claim the lion's share of the wickets. besides, it is never easy to come into the game at the 20th-25th over junction when the opposition is either too cautious due to loss of early wickets or an a steady rampage with a good eye in. say what you might, but outside murlitharan, he is the best contemporary spinner in the world.

[akram_rejuvinated]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie Yep he was completely useless in the Tests except for being able to get Ponting out - which actually said more about Ponting's ability to play spin first up than Harby's bowling. Seems afraid to try and get the batsman out.

you do realize that australia had three batsmen in incredible form throughout the series who did receive a few reprives against harbhajan.

[Dhonifan]

Bhaji is a fighter, can contain the runs and bat well at times. In the last match against Aus if he'd hung around for one more over the match would have been ours.

[pakistanbest]

bHAJJI IS CRAP. SIMPLE AS THAT.

HE HAS LOST HIS TOUCH. HE SHOUD JOIN ICL LOL

[Shoaib Akhtar's Fan]

Retard Harbhajan needs to shut his big mouth and concertrate on his bowling.

[Cryin Out Loud]

Originally Posted by OZGOD Is the pressure finally getting to Harby?

Dunno, but it has got to Hayden.

[OZGOD]

Originally Posted by Cryin Out Loud Dunno, but it has got to Hayden.

You could be right - he's only scored one 50 and is averaging 17 below his career ODI average of 43.

Player  		Mat  	Inns  	NO  	Runs  	HS  	Ave  	BF  	SR  	100  	50  	0  	4s  	6s
ML Hayden (Aus) 	6 	6 	0 	161 	54 	26.83 	231 	69.69 	0 	1 	0 	18 	2

Looking at Harby, his career bowling average is 33 and his econ rate is 4.18 so I guess the pressure isn't really getting to him - he's performing about the same as he normally does in ODIs!

Player  		Mat  	Inns  	Overs  	Mdns  	Runs  	Wkts  	BBI  	Ave  	Econ  	SR  	4  	5  	Ct  	St
Harbhajan Singh (India) 8 	6 	45.1 	2 	195 	5 	1/15 	39.00 	4.31 	54.2 	0 	0 	1 	0

[Cryin Out Loud]

Phurt. They're both **** heads anyway.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by farewell_gilchrist you do realize that australia had three batsmen in incredible form throughout the series who did receive a few reprives against harbhajan.

Please enlighten me as to who the other 2 batsmen were. Hayden batted well, no one else was particularly good.

Harby's bowling was ordinary at best. His batting was great though