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Rediff.com  » Sports » Lara praises Harbhajan

Lara praises Harbhajan

September 21, 2006 13:21 IST
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Harbhajan Singh, who guided India to a win with his all-round performance in the fifth one-day international of the DLF Cup tri-series, drew rich praise from West Indies skipper Brian Lara, who said it was the off-spinner's hunger for wickets that did them in.

Harbhajan, who played a vital innings of 37 during India's innings, bowled a brilliant spell to claim three wickets and help India to a 16-run victory, which kept their hopes alive of making it to the final.

Lara said he was impressed that Harbhajan kept an attacking line throughout even though India was defending a low score of 162.

''Harbhajan is a very good attacking bowler in one day cricket. He is always looking to take wickets even when he is taken for runs. He showed that again today and was rewarded,'' said Lara after the match.

Harbhajan said that after the early wickets taken by the seamers he knew the onus was on him to do the dual duty of bowling tight and take wickets as well.

"It is always good to attack. I feel the best way to get wicket is to stop runs yet bowl an attacking line. Chances of getting wickets then increase a lot," said Harbhajan.

"If I get defensive, more runs would be scored off and chances of taking wicket also wane. This is my nature and this way I have been bowling," he added.

The off-spinner also said that the team enjoyed playing their first full match after the West Indies tour and the tight win has raised the team's morale.

"It was a good win. At one point we had our backs to wall but we knew if we keep the West Indies batting under pressure for long they would cave in. I enjoyed a lot and am happy that I contributed with both bat and bowl," he said.

Harbhajan, who was instrumental anchoring Indian innings with his crucial 78-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar (65), hit two big sixes to start with and then settled down to give able support to the batting maestro. The bowler said the innings was no fluke as he had worked on his batting in the nets.

"I have worked a lot on my batting in training sessions. I would like to continue same sort of effort at nets. I am getting the result in matches and that makes me happy," he said.

Harbhajan said that the team is now well geared to take on Australia in the final league match on Friday. The team that wins the match would play West Indies in the final.

 

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