Harbhajan rubbishes fixing reports involving Indian players

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Monday dismissed as "silly" claims made by a leading sports magazine that some of the Indian cricketers are involved in match fixing.

"We don't need to react to such silly things," the 30-year-old cricketer said.

Asked to give his reaction to the report, he said "no comments. I will talk to the Board, if required. Otherwise, I just don't want to comment on this," said Harbhajan.

- Coverage: Match Fixing Episode II

Sports Illustrated India, a leading sports magazine, claims to expose "dirt in cricket" in its latest issue which features conversations with bookies.

The magazine claimed that bookies have taken names of Indian cricketers as well but refused to publish those, saying it will share all the material gathered with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Harbhajan, who along with team-mate Yuvraj Singh, attended a felicitation function organised by Pearls Group, said that the issue is unnecessarily being raked up by the media and termed it as someone's creation.

As the discussions veered towards Indian cricket team's upcoming tour of West Indies, both Harbhajan and Yuvraj said they would be available for the selection.

"If I get selected, I am going to play," said 29-year-old Yuvraj, who is currently playing in the IPL captaining Pune Warriors.

"I am definitely available for the whole tour. For all five ODIs, two T20s and three Tests. Like Yuvi said, if I am selected, I will definitely go," said Harbhajan.

Yuvraj was asked about Sourav Ganguly's non-inclusion against Pune Warriors last night, he said, "He will be playing in the next game."

Yuvraj said Ganguly had been preparing to play the game against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Sunday, but felt he needed couple of days more before getting into action.

Asked about his team's poor run in the IPL, Yuvraj said, "The talent is definitely there and the team could have won three more games. But that's the way Twenty20 is and hopefully, we should be able to win our remaining four games."

In contrast, Harbhajan's Mumbai Indians are on top in the
points table, having won eight out of their 10 matches played
so far, but the spinner said there was no room for complacency
at this stage.
     "We don't want to take things for granted. We know all
the teams are capable of beating each other. We just want to
keep on working hard and do things which will ensure we stay
on top," he said.
     The two cricketers were given a piece of plot each by the
company that felicitated them today.
     When asked about marriage plans, Harbhajan said, "It
seems more than me, my countrymen are more worried about my
marriage."
     Yuvraj's also replied with a smile to a similar
question. "Same situation, same answer."
     "I am not thinking much about my personal life at the
moment and is dedicated to playing cricket."
     He also added that Test cricket was one area where he
would like to be more consistent.