Sydney incident inspired us to beat Aussies: Harbhajan

NEW DELHI: India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Tuesday said the incident in Sydney early this year inspired his side to the historic 2-0 thrashing
of the Australians and challenged Ricky Ponting that he would dismiss him any time, even without playing cricket for six months. "I think the events in the Sydney Test match really hurt all of us. The things that they accused me of and their overall approach irked us as a team. I can safely say that the events at the Sydney Test match inspired this win," he said. The Punjab offie said he did not consider Ponting a complete batsman as the Australian captain had failed to leave a mark against the Indians. "Ponting had a lot to say about our players and about the way we play our cricket. In fact, it is Ponting who first needs to go and learn to bat against spin bowling. "He got a hundred in the first Test match in Bangalore but I don't think that is enough, he needs to comeback and score some more before he can claim to be a complete batsman," Harbhajan told a website. Harbhajan has so far dismissed Ponting 10 times including the two occasions in the four-match series with the Australians losing 0-2. "I can get Ponting out any time, I think I can get him even after I come post a six-month lay off," Harbhajan said. During the series, the Australians continued to play mind games. Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds did it in their books while Ponting did in his captain's diary. Harbhajan lashed out at them for employing cheap tactics to shore up the sale of their books. "The whole team was infuriated by the claims made by Adam Gilchrist about Sachin Tendulkar. He (Tendulkar) is a legend and insulting him was a big mistake and Gilchrist accused him of things that he never did. "The whole world knows what happened in that game. To be honest, I think they are just trying to sell their books," said Harbhajan who took 15 wickets to play a pivotal role in India's series win. Harbhajan said he had some great moments in the series but his dismissal of Michael Hussey was the best. "I think it was the best ball of my career so far. To get a batsman like Hussey and the way I did was very satisfying," he said.