F
resh from a rare test series victory in New
Zealand, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh
believes India have what it takes to beat the best
in the world on their home soil.
India's test series win in New Zealand this
week was their first in four decades. It was also
their third successive test series victory since
beating top-ranked Australia in November.
"This team is capable of winning anywhere,"
Harbhajan told Reuters in an interview on April
10.
"If we play to our potential, stick to the
basics and focus on the job, we have the team
that can beat anyone anywhere."
India defeated Australia and England in
back-to-back series at home last year and are
once again considered a true force in world
cricket.
India have yet to win a test series in Australia,
although they squared a close series 1-1 in 2004
and lost a controversial test series 2-1, before
winning a tri-series last year.
India won their first test in South Africa in
2006 and emerged surprise winners of the
inaugural Twenty20 World Cup there two
years ago.
The 28-year-old bowler said winning matches overseas has made a big difference.
"The guys are confident, confident of performing in any conditions," said Harbhajan,
the side's main spinner since Anil Kumble
retired last year.
"I think this team can win anywhere -- South
Africa, Australia -- we have got the ability to
exploit any conditions."
Harbhajan is his country's second most successful spinner and emerged the highest wickettaker in New Zealand with 16 wickets.
Their success streak, including a 1-0 win
over England, has triggered debate in the crick
et-mad country as to whether the current side
are the best yet.
India are ranked third behind Australia and
South Africa in the test rankings and the batting-heavy team has found a potent new ball
pair in the wily Zaheer Khan and quick Ishant
Sharma.
The pair have played a significant role in the
last three series victories and are regarded as the
best new ball pair in the business."
"Zaheer has bowled beautifully to give India
early breakthroughs," Harbhajan said of the
left-armer.
"Ishant is still raw, and he needs to be
focused. He is a talented bowler."
Harbhajan, who has taken 330 test wickets
and over 200 one-day wickets, did not get
drawn into the debate of whether the team is
India's best yet.
"I won't want to compare between eras,"
said Harbhajan."
But a batting like up of (Virender) Sehwag,
Gautam (Gambhir) ... (Rahul) Dravid and
Sachin Tendulkar, (Vangipurappu) Laxman,
Yuvraj (Singh)... I'd say it is one of the best. It's
an exciting team."
F
resh from a rare test series victory in New
Zealand, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh
believes India have what it takes to beat the best
in the world on their home soil.
India's test series win in New Zealand this
week was their first in four decades. It was also
their third successive test series victory since
beating top-ranked Australia in November.
"This team is capable of winning anywhere,"
Harbhajan told Reuters in an interview on April
10.
"If we play to our potential, stick to the
basics and focus on the job, we have the team
that can beat anyone anywhere."
India defeated Australia and England in
back-to-back series at home last year and are
once again considered a true force in world
cricket.
India have yet to win a test series in Australia,
although they squared a close series 1-1 in 2004
and lost a controversial test series 2-1, before
winning a tri-series last year.
India won their first test in South Africa in
2006 and emerged surprise winners of the
inaugural Twenty20 World Cup there two
years ago.
The 28-year-old bowler said winning match-
es overseas has made a big difference.
"The guys are confident, confident of per-
forming in any conditions," said Harbhajan,
the side's main spinner since Anil Kumble
retired last year.
"I think this team can win anywhere -- South
Africa, Australia -- we have got the ability to
exploit any conditions."
Harbhajan is his country's second most suc-
cessful spinner and emerged the highest wicket-
taker in New Zealand with 16 wickets.
Their success streak, including a 1-0 win
over England, has triggered debate in the crick-
et-mad country as to whether the current side
are the best yet.
India are ranked third behind Australia and
South Africa in the test rankings and the bat-
ting-heavy team has found a potent new ball
pair in the wily Zaheer Khan and quick Ishant
Sharma.
The pair have played a significant role in the
last three series victories and are regarded as the
best new ball pair in the business."
"Zaheer has bowled beautifully to give India
early breakthroughs," Harbhajan said of the
left-armer.
"Ishant is still raw, and he needs to be
focused. He is a talented bowler."
Harbhajan, who has taken 330 test wickets
and over 200 one-day wickets, did not get
drawn into the debate of whether the team is
India's best yet.
"I won't want to compare between eras,"
said Harbhajan."
But a batting like up of (Virender) Sehwag,
Gautam (Gambhir) ... (Rahul) Dravid and
Sachin Tendulkar, (Vangipurappu) Laxman,
Yuvraj (Singh)... I'd say it is one of the best. It's
an exciting team."