Harbhajan off the mark

Looking at Harbhajan Singh's performance over the first two Tests against England, Sandeep Dwivedi in the Indian Express writes that the man who usually gets wickets in a bunch has not been at his best in England. For most of the first two Tests that India have convincingly lost to England, the man who generally rejuvenates a disillusioned Indian team with an unexpected wicket or with motivational chants has gone missing.

In hindsight, Trent Bridge would have been the ideal venue to give Harbhajan Singh a break. It would have given the troubled offie a rare fortnight-long rest to sort out his bowling. The seaming conditions at the ground, not far from river Trent, would have also provided the captain an excuse for making the bold decision. (While dropping seniors, the decision-makers need to have at least one politically correct reason to sound convincing at press meets.)

But with the next two Tests to be played on surfaces at Edgbaston and the Oval where spinners do have a say, Dhoni will now have to take a tough call. Harbhajan’s strained stomach might make things easier for the team as they sit to pick the playing eleven for the third Test.