The Board of Control for Cricket in India wants Harbhajan Singh, who will be appearing in his 100th Test in the first of the four-match series against Australia in Chennai on Friday, to regain the form of the 2001 series when he bamboozled the Aussies with a bagful of wickets.
"Congratulations @harbhajan_singh on playing his 100th Test tomorrow. Let this series be an encore of 2001. Good luck!" BCCI wrote on Twitter on Friday, confirming the news of his selection in the playing XI.
- Harbhajan keen to make 100th Test a memorable one
The feisty off-spinner from Punjab will become the 10th Indian to play in 100 Tests or more, joining legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble.
With 408 wickets from 99 Tests at an average of 32.27 and a strike-rate of 68.1, Harbhajan has been one of India's most prolific bowlers even though he has been enduring a tough phase for some time, playing in only one Test, against England.
- 'This could be the start of a new Harbhajan Singh'
In the pre-match press conference, Harbhajan said that he was a "bit nervous" going into the first game.
"It's a big game. (The previous) 99 are gone. Obviously a bit nervous but I am sure I will be fine. I have faced these situations before," the 32-year-old spinner said.
