Friday, April 3, 2009

Bhajji feels 'fantastic, good effort' has put India in the driver's seat

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today said that team's 's 'fantastic, good effort' on the first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand, has placed it in the driver's seat.
Harbhajan, who scored his seventh Test 50 and fifth in 15 months, said India looked to be vulnerable when he joined captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and expressed delight over his contribution of 60 of 78 balls.
"It was crucial to contribute lower down the order and if you look at the scoreboard we have got some decent runs," said Harbhajan, who clouted seven boundaries and a six.
"Thankfully me, Dhoni and all the other guys got some runs. Those 180-odd runs in the last session ... it was fantastic, a good effort."
Potentially fragile at 204 for six when the last specialist batsman, Rahul Dravid, was dismissed, Harbhajan was still confident the remaining batsmen could prolong the innings.
"Many teams would think they were in control, but I knew that we have done it before and that there was a very good chance for me to go out there in a pressure situation and deliver.
"Me and Dhoni we had a great partnership, those were crucial runs and obviously it will help us in the game."
Dhoni, scored 52, and Harbhajan put on 79 for the sixth wicket - the first of four fruitful partnerships that kept New Zealand in the field longer than they imagined.
Khan and Harbhajan smacked 32 before the fast bowler dominated a ninth-wicket stand worth 33 with Sharma.
The last pair put on 28 at seven an over - and also fulfilled an Indian goal.
"We were looking to bat the whole day and we achieved that,' Harbhajan said.
"It would have been nice to get these runs with losing six or seven wickets but we are still very happy."

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