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Bhajji promises 2001 magic

September 23, 2004 15:46 IST

Back after a good showing in the ICC Champions Trophy, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh sent out a warning to Australia, saying he is looking to recreate the magic of 2001, that grounded the World champions in India, in the upcoming four-Test series.

"Last series is past. I don't want to think over it. But I would like to do what I had done then. I would like to take wickets against the Australians," Harbhajan said at the IGI airport in Delhi on return from London.

Harbhajan had a hugely successful series in 2001, when he took 32 wickets in the three matches and played a vital role in India's 2-1 series triumph over the Steve Waugh-led Australians, earning the sobriquet of 'Turbanator' from cricket writers Down Under.

The off-spinner said India will start the series with a "mental advantage" since they are playing at home.

"Australia is the number one team in the world and we have to work hard to beat them. But we have the mental advantage of playing at home. We have the support of the crowd and the assistance of the pitch.

"It will be a keenly-contested series and will be tough for us as well as for them."

Harbhajan admitted that after performing "badly" in England the side needs to play to its potential to beat the Australians.

"We played badly in England. We could have done much better. Now we will sit and see what went wrong in England. We have to play to our potential to beat them."

The bowler said he is quite satisfied with the way he bowled in England.

"Overall our bowling was quite good and I am quite happy with my performance."

Harbhajan returned to Delhi along with Mohammad Kaif and Amit Bhandari just before midnight on Wednesday. Most of the team members went to Mumbai directly from London from where they left for their respective destinations.

Kaif declined to comment on the team's performance in England.



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