'We need to score lot more runs'

“There’s nothing wrong with the wicket,” said the Indian offie, who took four for 10 in South Africa’s 131. “It’s still a good wicket. If you bowl in the right areas, there is a little extra bounce but not lateral movement. But the way Hashim was going, he made batting look simple. Whenever someone is in, you need to make full use. I don’t know how 18 wickets fell today.”

Earlier on tour, Harbhajan had disagreed with suggestions that India were overly dependent on Zaheer Khan. Despite Zaheer picking up three for 36, Harbhajan said he stood by his words, but lavished praise on the left-arm paceman.

“Zaheer is an experienced guy and he always plays a major role. It’s great to see how he approaches each game and takes crucial wickets. He’s been outstanding, not just in taking wickets but in helping other bowlers also take wickets,” the off-spinner said.

India are 166 to the good with six wickets in hand in what has to date been a low-scoring match, but the offie said the visitors shouldn’t take anything for granted.

“There’s still a lot of cricket left,” he pointed out. “We don’t want to be complacent. We want to bat well tomorrow. Hopefully, Laxman and Pujara can bat a long time and get a lot of runs on the board. We need to make sure we score more than 300. If we do that, we definitely have a very good chance.

“It will become easier to bat if the sun is out. If we survive the first session, we have a great chance to win the Test match. Obviously, tomorrow is a big day. It is the day for us to level the series. We need to have faith in our abilities and back ourselves to score on this wicket.”

The young Cheteshwar Pujara has impressed in his first Test in South Africa, battling it out for 45 deliveries in the first innings and having already faced 51 in the second. “He has shown great character,” Harbhajan gushed.

“He showed he wants to be the player to be counted for this game. I hope he starts converting domestic hundreds to international games also. He works very hard in the nets, he’s not worried about bounce or pace.”

On Rahul Dravid’s feat of completing 200 wickets in Tests, Harbhajan said, “Rahul took a brilliant catch .That moment was between him and me, it was his 50th catch off my bowling as well. It was great.”