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I definitely bowled the doosra: Harbhajan

Source:PTI
March 25, 2005 19:40 IST

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said he is unfazed by the controversy surrounding his bowling action and bowled the 'doosra' liberally to claim a six-wicket haul against Pakistan in the third and final Test in Bangalore.

"I was not thinking of the ICC matter. The Board [BCCI] is there to look after the matter. I played my game. I am very happy that I got six wickets. I am feeling really happy about it," the off-spinner said on Friday.

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"I definitely bowled the doosra and off-spin because doosra had been cleared last time and I had passed the test. I bowled openly."

Stressing that he is not worried about having been reported again for a suspect bowling action, he said that such "small allegations" are bound to be levelled against players.

"What's important is I am confident and believe in myself. The team and the Board has supported me, and I want to thank them.

"I am not bothered about what's happening".

Harbhajan said there was nothing in the wicket for spinners in the first two days, but he got some bounce before the tea-break today.

He said he is not expecting the strip to change a lot.

"Wicket is good for batting. We have to bat well tomorrow and hopefully the day after also."

On his spin partner Anil Kumble going wicketless in the first innings, Harbhajan said it was just an "off-day" for him.

"Kumble is a legend, he is a great bowler. He is number one in the world," he said.

Harbhajan, who had his 16th five-wicket haul in an innings today, rated Abdul Razzaq's dismissal as the best of the lot because of the "way he got out".

"I tossed the ball up and he was trying to play cover drive," Harbhajan said, referring to the dismissal of Razzaq who perished after offering a simple return catch.

He praised Pakistan's batting and said they played sensibly. He termed Inzamam-ul Haq's dismissal as the crucial wicket for India on the second day.

Harbhajan said he did not lose any sleep just because he had not taken a wicket on the opening day.

On his conversation with Sunil Gavaskar, he said the former batting great was just complimenting him for his good bowling performance.

On exchange of words with Younis Khan yesterday, Harbhajan said he was telling the batsman something in Punjabi.

"If you are speaking in Punjabi, it always sounds like a quarrel."

Source: PTI
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