HARBHAJAN SINGH CAN PLAY ROLE OF MENTOR, SAYS FORMER INDIA TEST OFF-SPINNER ARSHAD AYUB

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in Hyderabad

March 7, 2013: AFTER the two successive Test wins over Australia, former India off- spinner Arshad Ayub wants the hosts not to get complacent and target a 4- 0 series whitewash.

That would avenge the similar scoreline inflicted on India Down Under in 2011- 12.

 “It’s (4- 0) possible. We must strive for that and look in that direction very seriously,” Ayub told MAIL TODAY on Wednesday. (As it turned out, India defeated Australia 4-0 – a historic whitewash)

 “Most of the time when we got out [abroad], they look at that [clean sweep]. Give nothing to them, put the pressure on. I would encourage the team to make sure that they dont get any leverage and try and whitewash them,” he said.

Ayub, who played 13 Tests and 32 ODIs in 1980s with reasonable success, was particularly happy with the spinners and felt that Harbhajan Singh still has a lot more to offer, as a mentor.

“Anil Kumble played an excellent mentors role when Harbhajan was coming in. It was always between Harbhajan and Anil; when the pressure was there, both used to perform well. Also, Zaheer Khan was playing the role of mentor to young fast bowlers,” said the former manager of the Indian team.

“Harbhajan can now play Kumbles role as he knows how to go through pressure, and how to come out of it. It’s the mind-set that plays the major role in international cricket,” he emphasised.

Ayub feels Harbhajan the bowler can still contribute a lot. “ Although he hasn’t taken many wickets [ in the two Tests], hes got a lot to offer. If he looks at some pointers himself, he’d probably know where he can improve now. It’s a learning curve for everyone. As far as spinners are concerned, I think hes still young,” he said about the 32- year- old off- spinner.

“He fields well, runs well, and bats decently. I think he’s got a few more years to give to India.” Overall, says Ayub, the spinners have performed well in the two Tests, bagging 34 of the 39 wickets to fall.

“Spinners have been the strong point for India. There’s definitely an improvement here. R Ashwin bowled a really good line in this particular series, something that I didn’t see in the England series,” he said.

Ayub suggested that India may consider picking an additional spinner in place of a pacer. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan played both Tests while Pragyan Ojha has sat out.

“In India, you’re going to win matches on spin bowling. So, you must have that option of having a genuine spinner.”

(This story first appeared in Mail Today)