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Aussies will struggle against Kumble, Bhajji: Chawla
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October 03, 2008 19:10 IST

Having just exposed Australia's [Images] frailties against quality spin, chubby leg-spinner Piyush Chawla [Images] predicted Ricky Ponting's [Images] men will struggle against Anil Kumble [Images] and Harbhajan Singh [Images] in the forthcoming Test series.

Chawla had the visitors in tangles and made them look laden-footed with his guile and variations.

He tormented Ponting before ending his misery with a googly that completely foxed the Australian captain and rattled his timbers.

Ponting's deputy, Michael Clarke [Images], too fell to the baby-faced leggie.

"Both Anilbhai and Harbhajan are great bowlers and in good form. It's not going to be easy for the Australian batsmen in the Test series," the youngster said.

It was a gem of a delivery that got rid of Ponting, but Chawla played it down.

"I have played against him and seen him so many times. I just wanted to pitch the ball in the right area. My stock ball is the wrong 'un, I bowled it and got the wicket."

"There is no rough on the track to bowl to and hence the key is to bowl in the right areas and be patient," he added.

Chawla believes that with the Board President's XI taking the upper hand in the match, the Australians will be under a lot of pressure going into the Test series.

"We have done well so far in the match. We are in a strong position and the first hour tomorrow is going to be crucial. I think there will be lot of pressure on them and we have a great Test series on the cards," Chawla said.

He reckoned that not having a quality spinner will hurt the Aussies.

Asked if his sterling show will put him back into the reckoning again, Chawla struck a philosophical note, saying, "Selection is not in my hand. My job is to just go there and perform."

Chawla had a chat with selector Narendra Hirwani.

Asked what transpired between them, the leg-spinner said, "Nothing as such. Whenever we come across, we chat. He was telling my something about my action."




Complete coverage: Australia in India 2008

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