Harbhajan yearns for a hundred

Harbhajan Singh has bailed India out of trouble with his willow more than once, but is upset that he is still to score a hundred.

"I am very upset. I should have got a century. It was my best chance to score one," said the off-spinner after hitting 60 and helping India reach 375 for nine on the opening day of the third Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday.

"I am improving as a batsman. I am working hard at the nets so that I can score a hundred some day. Maybe, at this point in time, I am not good enough yet to make it happen," added Harbhajan, who has taken 323 wickets and scored six half centuries in Test cricket thus far.

His disappointment though is something he can live with considering his contribution with the bat in difficult conditions.

"But I am happy with my contributions with the bat. When the team needed runs badly at Nagpur, Sydney, Bangalore and here, I have put up my hand. I think it is important for me, Zaheer (Khan) and Ishant (Sharma) to stay at the wicket with the batsmen and score those crucial runs," said Harbhajan.

He said he was unperturbed when India were six down for 204 just after tea on Friday.

"I knew I could do it, as I had done it before. It was a very good chance for me to go under pressure situation and deliver," said Harbhajan.

Dhoni and I had a great partnership; those were crucial runs. Me, Dhoni, Zaheer, Munaf and Ishant got 170-odd runs in the last session. It was a fantastic effort; it will obviously help us in the game.

"We were looking to bat the whole day. Though we achieved that target, we lost nine wickets. It would have been nice to get these runs losing just six or seven wickets. But we are very happy with the runs we got," he said.

Asked who is his batting mentor, he said he has benefited from tips given by Tendulkar.

"Sachin keeps telling me to play side-on. Others have been helpful as well, except Viru (Virender Sehwag). If Viru were to give batting tips, he would ask me to hit every ball for a six," said the 29-year-old on a lighter note.

Harbhajan is confident the visiting bowlers can bowl the Kiwis out if they bowl at the right areas.

"The ball is still doing a bit when the bowlers pitch it in the right areas. The ball is coming in two pace sometimes. Some balls are coming quick, few balls are stopping and coming. We just need to be patient when we come to bowl tomorrow and hit the right areas. I am sure if we can do that, we will get wickets."

He came down heavily on the media for writing him off whenever he plays outside India.

"Most of the wickets in New Zealand don't seem to be spinner-friendly but I have bowled well in the one-dayers and in the Test series so far, though many people have been writing crap about me, suggesting that I am only good enough in India.

"I know what I have been doing, what is important for the team, what matters to the country. I will go out there and give my best shot. I may not get five or six, but it could be one or two. But if it can help the team win, I will be happy with that," he said.