E-Paper
Harbhajan unlikely to play against Pak
The team is likely to prefer spinner in Anil Kumble over Harbhajan with Tendulkar to don the mantle of second spinner in the side.
Harbhajan Singh might have had a dream return to international cricket after an eight-month injury lay-off but it is unlikely that the off-spinner would be seen in the biggest match of the Asia Cup, an India-Pakistan tie, on Sunday.
The off-spinner returned his best figures in One-Day Internationals in terms of economy when he bowled his 10 overs for only 20 runs while picking one wicket against Bangladesh but it seems it would not prove enough for him to earn a place in the eleven.
Harbhajan has reasons to feel delighted that his best figures of seven years and 83 one-day matches was reserved for his comeback match but unwittingly he has spurred competition from Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar himself acknowledged that Harbhajan had nudged him to take his leg-spin bowling seriously and now that the little master has figures to back his utility with the ball, it is he and not the Sardar who is being considered as the second spinner's choice for the team.
The team management has more or less made up its mind to go into the game against Pakistan with three medium-pacers and a spinner in Anil Kumble with Tendulkar to don the mantle of second spinner in the side.
Tendulkar has bowled in only two games of the Asia Cup so far and in both matches picked up three wickets each.
Also, both Pathan and Balaji did well against Pakistan in the series held in March-April. They also proved handy with the bat in the Rawalpindi game of the series.
The team management feels Harbhajan was tried against Bangladesh to ease him back into international cricket and give him some confidence. The way he bowled in that game, it served the purpose.
However, at present the bowling combination would only be three medium-fast bowlers and a spinner where the first-choice selection is Anil Kumble.
Another factor working against Harbhajan is that he has never played in a match against Pakistan in his career.
