I am not a magician, I too can have rough times: Bhajji

Back in the Indian cricket team after spending almost a year in the sidelines, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh hit back at his critics and said that it cannot be a "one-way traffic".

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Shortly after leading his side Punjab to an innings win over Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy, Harbhajan said: "A good bowler should not be only judged by his wickets count, his skillful bowling methods should also be taken into account."

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"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. But it can't be like one-way traffic."

"I have seen legendary spinners like Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan going wicketless in matches. Similarly, I am not a magician, I too can have rough times," he added.

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The offie, who has taken 406 wickets in 98 Tests, said he has "evolved as a cricketer" and was excited about the news of his selection.

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Adding that he was looking forward to playing his 100th Test soon, Harbhajan said, "I'm excited about the news of my selection in the Indian Test team. It is a big news for me. Although I played in the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, securing a Test berth was always on my mind."

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"It would be nice to complete 100 Test matches, I just can't wait to get into the white flannels for India against England," said Harbhajan.

Having struggled to take wickets in the recent past, he said, "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. I have learnt to make the moves rather than work for things to happen on their own. I have evolved as a cricketer in the last one year."

On the nature of Indian pitches, he said, "The Indian wickets should be sporting ones. If we are playing on green wickets then they should be offering some help to the spinners also on the fourth and the fifth day."

"The wickets should have everything for everyone. When M S 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".

On Punjab's big win, he said, "It is wonderful to start the Ranji season with the win. The boys played exceptional cricket to overpower the opposition. All credit goes to each one of them. I think all of them have the potential to reach at the top one day."

Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters