Bhajji’s ‘doosra’ avatar- the non-wicket taking one

They say the best thing about wine is that it gets better as it gets old. If you extend this same philosophy in sport you would expect people to be proficient in their art after 15-20 years. Sadly, there is an anomaly to every single rule. Take the case of India’s most celebrated off-spinner- Harbhajan Singh.

Has the Harbhajan Singh of old disappeared forever?

Today, the 100-Test match veteran is battling with his inner-self. The glorious past, the turbulent present and uncertain future is the story of Harbhajan in no-nonsense terms. And I use the term ‘no-nonsense’ because Harbhajan himself has been a practitioner of that attitude. He also wears his heart on his sleeve. He has the propensity for theatrics. At the Sydney Cricket Ground, after getting his bunny Ricky Ponting, Harbhajan ran as if he was giving Usain Bolt a run for his money. And then a somersault followed- an act that was so random that it would be impossible for Harbhajan to emulate that celebration ever again. That was a different Harbhajan – a wicket-taking bowler who we idolized and hoped that he would weave his magic with his finger spin.

To his credit, Harbhajan gave stellar performances. His incredible feat in the 2001 series against Australia paved his way towards stardom. He had the chutzpah to challenge the batsmen. Harbhajan was all but 20. The media went gaga over his performances and the advertisers had loads of commercials that featured the new poster boy of India. So why do we question his selection in the team every single time?

Sadly, his struggle makes him look like an ordinary bowler over the last couple of years. Still his reputation looms as large as the Qutub Minar. There are many who believe that Harbhajan is still a match winner. Their explanation is simple – Harbhajan has been there and done that. He gets under the skin of the opponents and that would earn India a psychological advantage. But I always thought cricket has been a performance-based game. The factors for Harbhajan’s inclusion are baffling to say the least.

The common people, like the working-class sector, in India still have to prove themselves day in and day out. They are never given special benefits just because they are able to get under the skin of the rival company. A person has to prove himself and then get earn his promotion. Now when this is the reality of life, then why is the under-performing Harbhajan preferred over other spinners in the country? Why does a certain Pragyan Ojha have to miss out?

“If Harbhajan gets one or two wickets then he is a different bowler” is a lame excuse given by the experts to defend the off-spinner. That is akin to the argument of a school going toddler who refuses to smile unless he is given a chocolate every single day. If the latter makes no sagacity, how does the former argument make sense either?

The nip from the wicket and the sharp turn – factors that made him deadly – are missing from his repertoire. They now make guest appearances in his bowling. The doosra and the leg-stump line get a lot of footage in his bowling. And because of these new accomplices, Harbhajan finds himself in a corner. The classical off-spinner’s loop and the aim to beat the batsman in the air are basic tenets of the wonderful art of spin bowling that are eluding the ‘Turbanator’ currently. He bowls the short ball far too often and is experimenting with his line and length so much that it is impossible for him to get a wicket. All this has led to the decline of this champion bowler.

So when shall we see Harbhajan running through the sides? Probably never again. He is a champion cricketer, make no mistake about that. But the need of the hour is to judge him by today’s standards. Is he good enough to be the nation’s No. 1 spinner? I don’t think so.