Harbhajan Singh: Barring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Indian bowlers have disappointed Down Under

New Delhi: Senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that except Bhuvneshwar Kumar, other bowlers have not been consistent enough which has been the bane of India in their disappointing tour Down Under.

“Save Bhuvi, I don’t think other bowlers have been consistent enough. The likes of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have a lot of talent but they haven’t bowled to one line. They have sprayed deliveries on both sides of the wicket. At this level, if the batsman gets 2-3 hittable balls every over, it becomes difficult for the bowling side,” Harbhajan said, while addressing the audience at the ‘Cricket Conclave’ organised by News24.

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India’s third highest wicket-taker (413 wickets) in Test cricket after Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434) said that Glenn McGrath‘s level of consistency was something that one would always look upto.

“I guess, in my career, Glenn McGrath is one bowler who could bowl to a channel pitching 90 out of 100 deliveries on a single spot. If that is the percentage then you can win matches,” said Harbhajan.

Sitting alongside Shoaib Akhtar and Inzamam-ul-Haq, Harbhajan recollected how the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ had reacted angrily after being hit for a six in the Asia Cup match back in 2010.

“Shoaib continued sledging me after I had hit that six. I just told him to “chill” as it’s just that I have had a good connect,” Harbhajan said as a smiling Shoaib looked on.

Asked about the Pakistani batsmen who gave him the maximum trouble, Harbhajan said,”I believe Saeed Anwar and Inzy bhai were the two players, whom I felt can never be dismissed. I remember Inzy bhai’s range of shots. He could sweep in-front of square and if I put a fielder there, he would hit me behind square.”