Harbhajan talks up his new 'magic ball'

Harbhajan Singh has warned opposition batsmen to expect a new "magic ball" when they face him next time. Talking to the media during the Indian team's fitness camp in Bangalore, Harbhajan said: "I have been working on a magic ball. I won't tell you [anything more on that]. You will see it definitely ... it is going to be a surprise."

Harbhajan hasn't played competitive cricket for more than six months due to a finger injury which cut short his tour of Australia. However, he said that he was now fully fit after following a rehabilitation programme under the guidance of Andrew Leipus, the team physiotherapist. "I have started bowling since the last one month or so. I am feeling confident the way it's going. I have been working on fitness. Let's see how it works. I just can't wait getting into the middle."

Talking about his prolonged absence from the game, Harbhajan said: "[Missing out on the series in] Australia was the most frustrating. I wanted to do well there. Unfortunately, I could not play the full series. I just played one Test and got injured," he said. "It was frustrating to sit out and watch."

Harbhajan also indicated that he would play a few matches for Indian Airlines, his employer, to gain match-practice before the start of the international season.