Jhakas | Sanjay Jha
Only Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) can fry the Kiwi! To say that one was always aware of the unpredictable, irrational ways of Harbhajan Singh, India's brash, irreverent super-brat would be an understatement. Yet his pugnacious daredevilry, and tempered brilliance at Ahmedabad was pure class. Sure the placid wicket at Hyderabad may be used tomorrow for our infrastructure projects, but there is no denying the invaluable contribution from the chronic hot-head as he devoured the surprised New Zealand team on successive occasions. With nonchalant ease.
Even more remarkable than Singh's consecutive centuries was his mature mind-set, a determined resolution to move ahead to complete an unfinished task with cool aplomb. As if by some divine intervention, Bhajji's partner-in-crime in that remarkable last wicket stand of 105 runs in the second Test was none other than another mercurial maverick himself, S Sreesanth. The same motor-mouth jabberer , a personification of cantankerous conduct who also often veered towards comical junctions. Andrew Nel , the South African bowler will happily testify to Sreesanth's boisterous revelries coupled with Shakira-like shakes. The same irrepressible rambunctious character who once received a sound thud on his cheeks from Bhajji during an IPL match at Mohali. While Hyderabad may have turned out to be a cake-walk on hard soil, what must still be applauded was the marauding menacing form that had the Kiwis trapped in sixes and sevens (pun intended, Harbhajan clouted seven over the boundary ropes, after all). Ahmedabad, of course, was indeed a different ball-game. Continue reading below
In the first Test, long before his now match-saving rescue act , was the late-order assault that resulted in 69 priceless runs and an extended tail that stretched to a formidable 487 runs. The second innings, of course, had that Kapil Dev -against- Zimbabwe magic written all over it as the Indians stumbled in uncharacteristic fashion to Chris Martin and at 15 for 5 , it seemed like a sorry tale headed for a teary end. But thankfully it was not to be. While VVS Laxman was his same collected self, Harbhajan was doing the unthinkable, writing a bizarre script and making it appear extraordinarily credible. His 163 run partnership with the Hyderabad veteran was truly epic. The controversial Bhajji was saving the reigning world no 1 Test team from some serious awkward embarrassment. A team that comprised of luminaries such as V Sehwag, R Dravid, and the mighty lord himself, Sachin Tendulkar. But what was even more noteworthy was the casual confidence in his planned belligerence, as if he knew just exactly what was needed to be done. The 115 runs had come off 193 balls. As the cliché goes, India was now clearly out of the woods. And Singh was in.
What I have always liked about him is his country-coloured innate simplicity; he does not hesitate from calling a sly cad a sly cad. Just when all Indian cricketers were feeling the overwhelming strain of new coach Greg Chappell's duplicitous man-management " best practices" which had resulted in Sourav Ganguly's prompt axing , Bhajji was the first player to publicly challenge Greg's political ploys, irrespective of its negative ramifications on his professional career. In those dark days of Indian cricket, it took a lot of gumption to speak what you felt. While he has obviously faced disciplinary action for his frequent transgressions, Singh's intrepid attitude, aggressive outlook, and combative spirit made him ( despite the controversial excesses of Sydney Test 2008) an endearing spoilt kid, just the kind of role model a rollicking obstreperous young India was looking for. Talented, hard working, and willing to take the bull by the horns. One who also survived a fairly difficult scrutiny of his bowling action in his early days, an excruciating torture for any professional sportsman.
Perhaps Singh's comment that the Hyderabad pitch was best suited for making national highways suitably manifests the humble Sardar. After all, he had just scored a run a ball century and was the cynosure of the entire nation. Yet, he was not averse to ridiculing a morose track with a draw written all over it, even if it detracted from his own personal milestone. An unassuming guy with simple small-town attributes who has never flinched from a challenge, is perhaps the most apposite description of our famous off-spinner.
By the way before I forget , he has also taken around 370 Test wickets.
