Mentor Bhajji needs to spin it the right way

As India went about their first training session at the Queen’s Park Oval a day after landing here, spinners Amit Mishra and R Ashwin went off for a run around the ground.

As India went about their first training session at the Queen’s Park Oval a day after landing here, spinners Amit Mishra and R Ashwin went off for a run around the ground.

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Some distance behind them, jogging alone was Harbhajan Singh. It was almost like the leader keeping some distance away but maintaining a benevolent gaze on the duo running ahead.

India’s ODI campaign that kicks off today could well be decided by their spinners. And the young visiting team will look up to the man who has taken 255 one-day wickets.

His inputs as deputy to the young skipper Suresh Raina will also be vital, but more important will be his advice to fellow offie Ashwin and seasoned leggie Mishra.

For players like Ashwin, who is making his first trip to the Caribbeans, and will face the challenge of managing sleep and getting used to the time zone after the non-stop IPL action, every tip will be important.

"Harbhajan has spoken to us about the conditions. He has already told us how the ground in Antigua (venue for ODIs 3 and 4) is much bigger and the pitch will be slower."

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy knows it will be another trial by spin after his batsmen struggled against the Pakistan off spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez. Will it be any different? "Ajmal had the doosra, it was much more difficult. Harbhajan and Ashwin are more conventional."

Harbhajan and Co. won't mind spinning it and winning it in conventional style.