The Not So Great Thread of Harbhajan Singh

[ZoraxDoom]

I believe he's a touch over-rated. Let's starts with some stats.

The only years his strike rate has been below 60 are 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. Those are also the only years his bowling average has gone below 30. 2008 was a steady year for him, but apart from that, he's been consistently non-threatening for the last 4 years.

Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

Infact, from 2005 onwards, his strike rate has ballooned to 70.8. And it's not like he's become more economical, as his rate has gone up from a career rate of 2.83 to 2.96.

Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

In the same time frame, keeping a criteria of atleast 50 wickets, Harbhajan's strike rate is only better than Panesar, Vettori and Paul Harris.

Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

He is ranked 8th out of 11 spinners to have qualified within that time-frame. And it's not like his has the best economy rate in that time, he's ranked sixth in that regard, behind Panesar, Vettori and Harris.

So it's quite clear Harbhajan has slipped into a 'containing' bowler role, but isn't doing a great job at it. Of all the bowlers in that list who's strike rate is above 70, only Harris and Vettori maintain a regular spot in their sides. Harris is the only bowler who maintains a spot in the side as a containing bowler, and that's because he's got such a fantastic pace attack to back him up.

Unfortunately, India does not have that luxury (yet). So why are we still backing a bowler like Harbhajan to help us win matches, when we've got better options like Murali Kartik waiting in the wings?

 

[SaiSrini]

There is no other spinner in the horizon who can be the kind of star that Kumble was and that Harbhajan promised to be. We have good containing spinners, but the kind of aura that our spinners have had, we have no one in the horizon to match up. Thats why Harbhajan is enjoying a longer run than he deserves. We are willing to give him the time to get back to form because he is our best hope of having a star spinner.

 

[drainpipe32]

He isn't worth a thread

At his best, he was near unplayable. Complemented Kumble really well, but seems to have struggled without him.

Has past his time. With Mishra, as well as Chawla, Ojha and Kartik on the sidelines, he's given his last slap

 

[SciD]

Murali Kartik?

Ojha needs to be given confidence and kept away from 20-20 game so that he does not forget the flight he has. He will definitely be taking over our main spinner role in a years time.

 

[khalek]

Perhaps he could take retirement from all T20s except IPL and concentrate more on his test match bowling cause he is only 29 and I think it's just bad form he's in more than anything else.

 

[pcfan123]

I guess he is a ticket seller still. Harbhajan Singh still has brand value to his name.

 

[aditya123]

I guess he is a ticket seller still. Harbhajan Singh still has brand value to his name.

You do not pick test match sides based on brand value. T20s maybe, but not tests.

 

[drainpipe32]

Ojha's a great tlent. Love seeing him bowl, he's so attacking.

Gives it plenty of flight in T20s as well, and he's pretty hard to get away. The best spinner of the next decade.

 

[ballers101]

Ojha's a great tlent. Love seeing him bowl, he's so attacking.

Gives it plenty of flight in T20s as well, and he's pretty hard to get away. The best spinner of the next decade.

The Best Spinner of The Next Decade. Thats extremely hard to assume, I mean he hasn't shown a GREAT amount of talent and has never bowled a great test match yet. I would say he is talented and I will agree with that fact. But best spinner of the next decade is too difficult to assume considering we don't know the talent that is yet to come into the international stage.

 

[TumTum]

Ojha the best spinner of the next decade?

The Cricketing World is finding it difficult to find a decent spinner to replace Murali and Warne.

 

[drainpipe32]

Ok, fine. He has the ability to be one of the better spinners in years to come.

 

[irottev]

The best is probably past him. But he's still an alright bowler. He has to bowl on some flat decks. Wouldn't be in my current top 3.

 

[CaptainOZ]

After watching the match today, I can see why poeple are questioning Singh's inclusion. The batsmen were completely untroubled by him. I don't think he beat the bat once.

 

[Leggie]

IMO, As long as keeps making them random 50's down at No.8, Dhoni will persist in him. Let's face it, Bhajji's batting has been more exciting than his actual bowling.

God knows why we don't give Chawla, Ojha or even Kartik a chance. Chawla can bat equally as well and actually flights the ball unlike Harbhajan who bowls darts on leg stump. I suppose some of the pitches are to blame though, there's not much he can do on these types of pitches.

 

[drainpipe32]

As long as he's making runs to make up for the ones he's giving away :sarcasm