Team India Needs Harbhajan The Bowler

Both India and New Zealand will have mixed feelings at the conclusion of the just concluded three-match series. For the hosts it can be said that end justifies the means and victory in the contest however narrow is a matter of some satisfaction. 

It's not however a series that will be remembered fondly by cricket fans in this country or the Indian players - not even Harbhajan Singh. He might have been adjudged man of the series and notched up a feat that has been beyond anyone batting at No 8 in Test history, but the celebrations will be tempered by the fact that his bowling continues to be without zing, his career average and strike rate is climbing alarmingly.

With a tough series in South Africa round the corner it is a matter of acute discomfort that the Indian spin spearhead is struggling. What is even more disturbing is that the greater improvement in his batting may see a further fall in his bowling standards. The Indian team needs Harbhajan the bowler much more than Harbhajan the batsman.

The visitors while patting themselves on the back for giving the Indians - always formidable opposition at home - a tough fight might still be kicking themselves for the trick or two they missed after having India on the mat at 15 for five in the first Test. And, while the Indians deserve full marks for recovering and forcing an honourable draw, it is frightening to think how close India came to defeat on that occasion.

Coming to think of it, New Zealand have almost always provided India tough opposition in this country. In the last series here in 2003 they drew both matches. In the second Test they ran up a total of 630 for six declared even as four batsmen hit hundreds for the first time for New Zealand. They then went on to enforce the follow-on before they were thwarted by a VVS Laxman special.

With a few glorious exceptions New Zealand have not produced great players but they make up for this by the traditional values of steely grit and determination. They are doughty fighters underlined by events in the recent series. While losing the contest narrowly they still had the only batsman to notch up a double century and the bowlers notched up two five-wicket hauls to the Indians' none. Their four hundreds compared favourably with the Indians' five given the batting might of the home team.

The teams now look ahead to the five-match ODI series starting on Sunday and one can expect another close tussle. New Zealand have always been a handy limited overs side and it would be a folly to underestimate them. Admittedly, both teams are not at full strength but the result could still be an indicator as to how India and New Zealand could fare in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 to be held in the sub continent from February.

From the Indian viewpoint, however, the more important event is the Test series in South Africa. India have won just one Test there over four visits and South Africa currently No 2 in the ICC rankings will be keen to steal a march over the No 1 side.

The selectors have done well in picking five fast bowlers, for in South Africa a visiting team has to have a pace oriented attack if it is to have any chance of succeeding. Under the circumstances the trio of Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma carry a lot of responsibility, for it is expected that the lustrous batting line-up will hold its own against Steyn and company.

The pacemen will also have a greater load since Harbhajan Singh's bowling of late has inspired little confidence and the tradition abroad has been to play only one spin bowler in the playing eleven. One has only to look at the success enjoyed by Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer and Sreesanth in South Africa to realize the wisdom of such a move.

But adequate spin support too is essential and this is where India are at a disadvantage. Anil Kumble over four tours performed gallantly to augment the efforts of the pacemen but who do the Indians have now? As I said Harbhajan's indifferent form is a cause of grave concern and Pragyan Ojha the other spinner in the squad has not exactly done his cause much good. This is a worrying factor as the Indians prepare for their toughest tour in recent times.