Harbhajan Singh keen to play T20Is for India: The 39-year old veteran spinner is still looking forward to don the national jersey.
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Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh has admitted being hurt due to constantly getting ignored by the national selectors despite him doing well in the Indian Premier League.
“They [selectors] will not look at me because they feel I am too old. Also I don’t play any domestic cricket. [In the] Last four-five years they did not look at me even though I was doing well in the IPL, taking wickets and I had all my records to back my case,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Harbhajan, 39, has represented Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the last four season of the IPL. In 49 IPL matches since the start of 2016, Harbhajan has picked 40 wickets at an average of 31, an economy rate of 7.48 and a strike rate of 24.88.
Playing under Mahendra Singh Dhoni at CSK, Harbhajan’s economy and strike rate of 7.67 and 19.78 respectively has been highly impressive for a bowler who predominantly bowls in the powerplay.
Harbhajan Singh keen to play T20Is for India
Harbhajan, who last played for India during the Asia Cup in 2016, further said that he is “ready” to don the national jersey in the shortest format. “I’m ready. If I can bowl well in IPL, which is a very difficult tournament for bowlers because the grounds are smaller, and all the top players in world cricket play in the IPL.
“It is very challenging to bowl against them and if you can do well against them in IPL, you can do well in international cricket. I have bowled predominantly in the powerplay and middle overs and got wickets,” Harbhajan said.
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Having led India A against Tamil Nadu in his last List A match in 2017 and played his last First-class match the same year, Harbhajan pointed out on how he still has it in him to dismiss top T20I batsmen in international cricket.
“In international cricket not all teams have quality players like IPL teams, where every team has a top-six which is good. Yes, Australia, England, India have all got very good batting line-ups.
“But if I can get Jonny Bairstow and David Warner in IPL, don’t you think I can get them in international cricket? But it is not in my hands. No one comes and talk to you in this present Indian set-up,” Harbhajan added.
