Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer on Thursday expressed surprise over Harbhajan Singh's omission from the Indian team for the tour to England.

"The dropping of Harbhajan came as a tremendous surprise for me. Ramesh Powar may be a good bowler, but he is not in the same class as Harbhajan," Engineer told rediff.com.

Harbhajan failed to impress last season and also at the 2007 World Cup, where he went wicketless. Since then he failed to make it to the team, not considered for the tours of Bangladesh and England.

Engineer said even England's 'Turbanator' Monty Panesar was surprised to find his counterpart being left out.

"I met Monty that day and even he was surprised that Harbhajan was not picked in the Indian team," said the 69-year-old England-settled Mumbaikar.

Monty's great form in recent months saw him move into the top ten of the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers for the first time in his career. He is now the highest rated England spinner since Derek Underwood in 1977.

It may be recalled that when England toured India last year, Monty was looking forward to a few tips from Harbhajan. Now, it seems, the reverse may hold true.