Tendulkar's bowling inspired Harbhajan

Suresh Seshadri

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who caused another Australian collapse on Monday, thanked Sachin Tendulkar for inspiring his latest magical spell in the third and final Test.

Singh captured six for 33 to bounce back after finishing with a modest one for 100 on the first day.

"Our basic plan was to bowl tight and deny them runs. The fact that Sachin, who started at the other end, was getting turn gave me some confidence when I came on," Singh said.

Australia, coasting at 326 for three overnight, slumped to 391 all out as Singh took charge once Steve Waugh was given out handling the ball in the sixth over of the day.

Singh, who returned a match haul of 13-196 to spur India to a 171-run victory in the second test in Calcutta to level the series, has now taken 24 wickets in four innings.

He was sidelined for almost two years after being reported for throwing and made his comeback after correcting his bowling action and performing well in domestic matches.

Singh, spearheading India's bowling in the absence of injured leg-spinner Anil Kumble, said he kept a steady line on a good batting track.

"There is some bounce in the pitch. We were hoping for a break and I kept bowling to a line," he said.

The bowler said dismissing Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist was the most satisfying.

Gilchrist was trapped leg before for one playing across the line against Singh bowling round the wicket.

The wicketkeeper-batsman had swept and pulled the spinners for a rapid 122 in Australia's first-test victory in Bombay but has been dismissed lbw in his next three test innings, twice by Singh. He bagged a golden pair in the second test.

Asked about Steve Waugh being given out handling the ball, Singh said he had turned to the umpire appealing for a leg before decision.

"I didn't know what had happened till my team mates told me," he said.

Team manager Chetan Chauhan said India's fightback in the Madras game showed they were not complacent after the Calcutta victory.

"People said we would become complacent after Calcutta and there were even (media) reports to that effect," said Chauhan, whose side were 211 for one at the close on Monday.

"Their batsmen played well yesterday. We were waiting for a break this morning and once we got the break, Harbhajan did the rest.

"We are not taking it easy. We are now in a very good position, we are looking to better that. We want to achieve the same end as we did in Calcutta and we will play positively," he added.

More on the third Test:



Harbhajan, Laxman at it again
India gaining in confidence
Adam Gilchrist in Real Audio -- Day 2

Mail Cricket Editor