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Rediff.com  » Sports » Harbhajan working on a 'magic' ball

Harbhajan working on a 'magic' ball

Source: PTI
June 17, 2004 17:22 IST
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After an injury-induced lay-off of six months, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh declared he was "200 per cent" fit and working on a 'magic ball' that would take his opponents by surprise.

"I have been working on a magic ball. I won't tell you (anymore on that). You will see it definitely... it is going to be a surprise," he said on the sidelines of the fitness camp for Asia Cup probables.

Harbhajan said he had been engaged in a rehabilitation programme suggested by physio Andrew Leipus and doctors to strengthen his spinning finger and now he was "200 per cent fit".

"I have started bowling since the last one month or so. I am feeling confident the way it's going. I have been working on fitness. Let's see how it works. I just can't wait getting into the middle. I am waiting for the matches to start," he said.

Harbhajan said every single match he had to sit out because of injury was frustrating.

"Not only Pakistan tour. Australia was the most frustrating. I wanted to do well there. Unfortunately, I could not play the full series. I just played one Test and got injured," he said.

"It was frustrating to sit out and watch. But whatever has happened has happened. I just want to continue with fitness and hard work. I am looking forward to Asia Cup and Test matches," Harbhajan said.

Asked if he felt he had justified the expectations reposed on him after the 2001 series against Australia when he tormented Aussie batsmen and took 32 wickets, Harbhajan said he thought he had done well.

"After the Australia series, I was number two bowler in the world continuously for two years. I had taken 63 wickets in one season and 64 wickets in the next season which is good," he said but added that now he would have to start from scratch again.

"Now I have to start everything again. More like an under-19 boy who wants to play for India. Whatever I had done, that's gone. Now I have to start my career again, and hopefully do the same thing as I had been doing for the country (before the injury)".

"I will be happy to win matches for India like I had been doing."

On Sourav Ganguly's comment that he was keen to see Harbhajan fit before the series against Australia, the spinner said it was a matter of pride for him that the captain wanted him in the team.

Asked if it was an ideal situation to return to one-day cricket (Asia Cup) after the injury lay-off, Harbhajan said he thought it was okay. "I am just looking forward to the matches, no matter Tests or one-dayers".

Before the Asia Cup that starts in Colombo on July 16, Harbhajan said he would be playing some matches for his company Indian Airlines to gain match practice.
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