India just taking benefit of home conditions, Bhajji on pitch controversy

Reacting to the excessive pitch talk in the ongoing series between India and South Africa, Harbhajan Singh has come out supporting the home team's viewpoint saying "Indian pitches assist spinners and there is nothing new about it".

"Host country takes advantage of the home conditions and this happens across the world. If not the home country, who is supposed to take the benefit out of it? In India, the pitches turn and it is happening for some good years now," Harbhajan said on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi on Saturday.

Happy with team India's performance in the ongoing series , Harbhajan said that a 3-0 sweep is very much on the cards.

"I am very happy that India is ahead in this series by 2-0 and I have zero doubt on my mind about India winning the series 3-0," he said.

When asked about his position on the flip-flopping of boards on the controversial series between India and Pakistan, and whether he sees series taking place later this month, the

35-year old played it safe and said "it is for the board to decide, not players".

"As a player, we will be following whatever the board tells us. Indian Cricket board is a parent to all of us (cricketers). It is their call," said India's leading Test wicket taker in spin.

Singh, whose match-winning 10-wicket haul helped Punjab seal a birth in Ranji Trophy quarter-finals, said he is ready to grab every opportunity coming his way.

"I am playing cricket regularly. So be it upcoming series in Australia or World T20, I want to make sure that I am up for it. Like always I am ready to face any challenge and obviously performing in Ranji does help," he said. 

Image: Harbhajan Singh

Photograph: Getty Images