'I am still itching to play international cricket. That was what it was 19 years back and as I reach my 20th year, nothing changes.'
The art of keeping the batsmen quiet during Powerplay overs of a T20 game is something that's there in Harbhajan Singh's muscle memory -- a result of which is his parsimonious economy rate of 5.82 in nine matches in the ongoing tenth edition of the Indian Premier League.
No wonder the veteran off-spinner is harbouring expectations that his name will be in the mix when national selectors pick the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, on Monday.
"I am as hopeful and positive as any other player would be. IPL is a big platform and the performances here are taken note of. I have rarely missed any limited overs matches this season (be it Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali T20)," Harbhajan said in Sunday.
Asked if he will be disappointed if he fails to make the cut, the feisty off-spinner replied: "Not at all. It is selector's call. Yes, I would be very happy to wear national colours but one tournament is not the end of the road. I am still itching to play international cricket. That was what it was 19 years back and as I reach my 20th year, nothing changes," said India's third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
In terms of economy rate, Harbhajan has been the best among the top spinners when one takes into account that he has bowled 34 overs. Eight wickets in 9 matches won't tell you the impact he has had in Powerplay and middle overs.
The off-spinner explained how he has been able to get the better of the batsmen in IPL-10.
"On rank turners, you can push the ball through the air. But I have been bowling slower through the air. Trying to flight and get my stock ball, off-break going. You have to be a step ahead of the batsmen and I believe I have been able to do that. That's what has been my role for Mumbai Indian in last 10 years," Harbhajan said.
He wasn't bowling too many 'doosra' in T20s during the past few years but this season has seen him bowling the wrong ones, which spin the other way, more often just like his younger days.
"When you have 65 metre midwicket boundaries and the batsmen are aiming to hit you over that region, it's better that you take midwicket out of equation. The 'doosra' then becomes a lethal weapon. It's all about bowling different lines and also altering the length according to core hitting areas of a batsman," said the 36-year-old.
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