Mon, Feb 02 2015
- Harbhajan says Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav are wayward in their line and lengths.
- Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir expressed disappointment over missing out on the bus to the 2015 World Cup.
© AFP
Offspinner Harbhajan Singh is not overtly impressed by the performance of India fast bowlers and feels that sans Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the others haven't been able to find consistency with the ball. India's bowling has come under heavy scrutiny after failing to pick up 20 Australian wickets in a Test not even once in the four-Test series and tri-series involving England that followed.
"Save Bhuvi, I don't think other bowlers have been consistent enough. The likes of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have a lot of talent but they haven't bowled to one line. They have sprayed deliveries on both sides of the wicket. At this level, if the batsman gets 2-3 hittable balls every over, it becomes difficult for the bowling side," Harbhajan said in a function organised by News24 in New Delhi.
Shami took 16 wickets in three Tests against Australia and Yadav snapped 11 wickets, but both leaked runs and failed to put any pressure on the batsmen. Harbhajan, India's third most successful Test bowler with 413 wickets, after Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434) said he looked up to the consistency shown by Australian great Glenn McGrath with the ball in hand. "In my career, Glenn McGrath is one bowler who could bowl to a channel pitching 90 out of 100 deliveries on a single spot. If that is the percentage then you can win matches," said Harbhajan.
The 34-year-old, reminisces the moment when he hit Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar for a six in an Asia Cup match back in 2010. "Shoaib continued sledging me after I had hit that six. I just told him to "chill" as it's just that I have had a good connect," Harbhajan said.
Meanwhile, ignored from the 2015 World Cup squad like Harbhajan, batsmen Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir felt aggrieved at being ignored for the quadrennial extravaganza that starts February 14 in Australia and New Zealand.
"It was disappointing at not being picked for the World Cup. It's a decision which you can't help," Yuvraj is quoted by saying by the PTI. The left-hander, who was named player of the tournament in the 2011 World Cup for his all-round success, is concentrating on doing well with in domestic cricket in order to remain in contention. "At the moment, I am focusing on the Ranji Trophy and putting in my best efforts to make a comeback," he said.
Gambhir, on the other hand, says he still has the zeal to do well for India at the top level. "I play cricket to score runs and win matches. I am still passionate about winning matches for India, my state team Delhi or any Twenty 20 franchise. I am disappointed at not being part of the team for this World Cup. We are the defending champions and it is a proud feeling. I definitely would have wanted to be part of this tournament," he said.
© Cricbuzz (with inputs from agencies)
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