India lacked aggression, says Harbhajan

India lacked aggression and caused their downfall in the four-Test series against Australia, feels off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

India lacked aggression and caused their own downfall in the four-match Test series against Australia, feels Harbhajan Singh, the nemesis of Australians the last time they toured India.

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The off-spinner also rues the fact that he could have bowled better against the Aussies who he said had come better prepared this time.

"It's that lack of aggression in our attitude that has caused havoc. I'm not enjoying this series at all," Harbhajan was quoted as saying in the 'Gulf News'.

"I told my teammates that it's better to do what you want in the field rather than lamenting after coming back from the ground saying: 'we could've done this or that... unfortunate decisions... etc'. You have to do it in the ground and play 'dilse' (from the heart). That's what counts. Excuses have no place in international cricket."

The bowler, nicknamed 'Turbanator' after his record 32-wicket haul in the 2001 series, also said that he was missing his skipper Sourav Ganguly, who has had to sit out of the last two Tests due to an injury.

Admitting that he was not satisfied with his performance in the series so far, he said, "I feel I could have bowled better in this series.

"Also, the Aussies are more prepared this time. I remember getting Adam Gilchrist four times in the last series. Every time he fell while trying to sweep against me. This time they have this particular shot perhaps in the refrigerator!

"Look at Matthew Hayden. He tried to go for a sweep in Bangalore and once I got him, he did not repeat the shot. It appears that the sweep shot does not exist in the cricket book! That's great preparation, I must say."

Harbhajan had 16 wickets from two Tests before going into the ongoing fourth and final Test against Australia in Mumbai. He missed the third Test at Nagpur, which India lost by 342 runs, due to a bout of gastro.