Don't judge bowler only by wickets count - Harbhajan

Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner who was recalled to the Test squad on Monday, has hit out at his critics, and also declared that he has "evolved" as a cricketer during his year out of the team.

"A good bowler should not be only judged by his wickets count, his skillful bowling methods should also be taken into account," Harbhajan told PTI in Mohali. "His (a spinner's) role changes according to the wicket. Some people who have not played cricket themselves have been writing crap stuff about me."

Harbhajan was a permanent member of India's Test squad for several years before he was left out for the tour of Australia late last year, leaving him with 98 Test caps. "It would be nice to complete 100 Test matches, I just can't wait to get into whites for India against England."

While Harbhajan hasn't taken loads of wickets on the first-class circuit after being dropped, he said he had improved as a cricketer. "During the time I was out of the Indian team I got time to work on different aspects of the game. I captained Punjab team and also the Mumbai Indians. I think I have become a good listener and can handle things on the field in a better way."

India's captain MS Dhoni has repeatedly called for turning tracks for home series, and Harbhajan also hoped the pitches would assist spinners. "The wickets should have everything for everyone. When Dhoni says that he has not seen any spinner getting the ball bounce in the rib cage area of the batsman in the recent past, I agree with him.

"I would love to bowl on a wicket which has both turn and bounce, so that I can also bowl in the rib area of the batsman from outside the off stump."