Hopefully, I can make a difference in Tests: Harbhajan

Senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh reckons that comebacks are always “tough at Test level” but the veteran of 99 Tests is hopeful that he would be able to make a difference in the upcoming Test series against Australia.

“Comebacks are always tough. As long as you continue to work hard and believe you can make a difference and do well in international cricket, you can make a comeback,” Harbhajan said. “I am very happy to be back in the Test squad and hopefully, I can make the difference there,” said Harbhajan.

Harbhajan said that a number of left-handers in the opposition squad could work to India’s advantage. “It’s always nice to play against Australia. They have a pretty new batting line-up. If I am not wrong they have a lot of left-handers, apart from (Michael) Clarke and (Shane) Watson and they have not played much Test cricket and not played in India.

“This would be a challenging series for them and hopefully we will put them under pressure from the first day of the Test match.” Harbhajan said that he has been working very hard on his game. “When you are playing Ranji Trophy constantly sometimes you may take wickets and sometimes you may not. But I have been working very hard on my game and trying to give everything I have every day.

“A new day gives you a new opportunity. That’s what I have kept telling myself that I am still good enough to play for India and that’s the reason I have been playing cricket.”

The 32-year-old was confident that the bowlers chosen for the first two Tests would deliver the goods. “Overall, all the bowlers need to bowl well to take those 20 wickets. When I played my first series against Australia (1998), I was a no one. All I can say is we have a quality attack to win this Test series for India. We are looking forward to this series and hopefully we would do well as a bowling unit.”