Magical 'Bhajji' thanks Kumble, Wright

'Dream' spinner Harbhajan Singh thanked injured team mate Anil Kumble for his support after playing the key role in India's series victory over Australia on Thursday.

"Anil Kumble helped me a lot in the training camp," he said, adding that India's new coach, New Zealander John Wright, had also played a big part in his success.

"He told me a lot of things about line and length," Singh said.

Kumble had been considered central to India's hopes but the leg-spinner was ruled out of the series following shoulder surgery. He has taken 276 wickets, with only Kapil Dev having taken more for India.

The 20-year-old Singh, who remodelled his action after being called for throwing two years ago, however, filled the void, totally overshadowing Australia's Shane Warne in the process.

He took 13 wickets in the second Test and 15 in the decider to end with 32 for the series, at an average of just over 17.

The off-spinner, named man of the series, also hit the winning runs in the two-wicket victory on Thursday.

Only three bowlers have taken more wickets in a three-Test series, England's George Lohmann leading the way with 35 against South Africa in 1895-96.

It was also a record for an Indian bowler against Australia. Bishen Bedi took 31 wickets in five tests in 1977-78.

Warne's ineffectiveness, meanwhile, was underlined as he conceded 41 off six overs without taking a wicket in the final innings of the series.

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said: "Bajji bowled like a dream. He looked like picking a wicket every ball."

Australian skipper Steve Waugh responded: "He certainly gets a lot of bounce -- he's got a different action to most spinners.

"He can put the ball in the danger areas, he's got great control and he changes his pace really well...there were no loose balls or easy boundaries -- he's a very good Test bowler."

Singh added: "Right from the start of this series, I have tried to bowl a tight line to the Australians so that they are unable to make too many runs.

"The ball turned well and once I got my line right in the second Test, it made a lot of difference.

"I did not think I'd do this well and get 32 wickets in the series, but I guess it's my hard work and support from my family that has made it possible.

"I practised very hard over the last few months. I knew I would do well."

Mail Cricket Editor