Zaheer put us back in the game: Bhajji

Off-spinner Harbhajan expresses satisfaction with Hyderabad pitch

“Obviously, he has been in tremendous form,” said Harbhajan, who himself took four for 10 in 8.3 overs on the second day. “It’s great to see Zak is bowling at his best. He has bowled exceptionally well in the last two years, and that too in Indian conditions where not many people have been successful. He is a very, very smart bowler, he knows his strengths and he has backed himself in all conditions and situations. He knows exactly what his plans are and what he is doing. It’s great to see him enjoying his game. Today, the first two wickets were really, really important. He definitely put us back in the game in a big way.”

Harbhajan also paid handsome compliments to Virender Sehwag. “Obviously, we were a little disappointed that Viru couldn’t get his hundred but he always bats for the team. With the way he batted today, he has set the tone for us to score big runs in the first innings. Hopefully, if we bat well tomorrow, we will score much more than what they have got and from there onwards, we will try to let the ball do the talking.”

Expressing his happiness with the surface at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium, the offie went on, “This is a good wicket for Test cricket. There is bounce for fast bowlers and for spinners. It has played pretty well so far, and I hope it will continue to play even better for the bowlers as the match wears on.”

Looking ahead to day three, Harbhajan offered, “The plan is to bat well and get the lead. Of course, it will be great to see Sachin scoring his 50th hundred here tomorrow. It will be a great thing for Indian cricket, himself and all of us. I hope he gets his hundred, it will be a big day for Indian cricket.”