Can Harbhajan break Murali's record?

[Spark]

Nah, that's one thing he definitely has in his favour. He will not be dropped no matter happens. India are not Australia to select players only on merit, unfortunately. It's why we've had players carrying on for too long (Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, etc.). Our selectors don't have the balls to drop senior players. I suppose a close relationship with the captain also helps.

Ummmm

 

[Blaze 18]

Nope. Took him 13 years to take the same number he'd have to get in less than 10 and you don't get better as you get older.

Pretty much in line with GI Joe's thoughts on the matter; hopefully India unearth a better spinner

India are playing more tests/year over the next few years, though. He's played ninety-five in thirteen years; India are playing ninety-two tests over the next eight years, as per an article I read on cricinfo. Not sure about the "you don't get better as you get older" either. Not talking about Harbhajan per se, but there have been cases of players getting better with age.

 

[Top_Cat]

India are playing more tests/year over the next few years, though. He's played ninety-five in thirteen years; India are playing ninety-two tests over the next eight years, as per an article I read on cricinfo. Not sure about the "you don't get better as you get older" either. Not talking about Harbhajan per se, but there have been cases of players getting better with age.

Like who? Certainly no bowlers. Injuries affect everyone eventually.

 

[Blaze 18]

...come again?

Ummmm

I was actually referring to how Australia handled Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, etc. I didn't word my post properly. What I'm saying is, an Indian great gets to play as long as he wants, even if it's painfully obvious that there are many better players waiting in the wings. It's a lot different to say, Australia or South Africa in that regard. Harbhajan, for all his flaws, is a great of Indian cricket. He will definitely be allowed to choose when to call it a day.

 

[Spark]

Gilchrist retired on his own terms. As did Waugh. ODIs a different matter obviously.

 

[Blaze 18]

Like who? Certainly no bowlers. Injuries affect everyone eventually.

Warnie got better and better with age, didn't he? McGrath was as good in his last game as he ever was. I do agree with your point about injuries. Every player gets injured at some point, that's pretty much a given. Spin bowlers are not as injury prone as fast bowlers and batsmen though, generally speaking.

 

[Blaze 18]

Gilchrist retired on his own terms. As did Waugh. ODIs a different matter obviously.

Wasn't it the Australian board that wanted the home series against India in 2003/2004 to be his farewell series? Not sure. Possible that I'm misremembering.

 

[Rush]

Like who? Certainly no bowlers. Injuries affect everyone eventually.

Richard Hadlee? Glenn McGrath?

 

[Top_Cat]

Warnie got better and better with age, didn't he? McGrath was as good in his last game as he ever was. I do agree with your point about injuries. Every player gets injured at some point, that's pretty much a given. Spin bowlers are not as injury prone as fast bowlers and batsmen though, generally speaking.

Depends on what you mean by 'better'. Both guys maintained a great standard but certainly had to work harder for their wickets as time went on, don't see how anyone who saw them operate throughout their careers could deny that. The edge had been taken off their abilities but they had experience and nous to fall back on. They're all-time greats, Harbhajan most certainly is not and he's skating on the edge of good performance averaging 30+ so I think it's inevitable he'll stop even being that effective.

Reckon even both McGrath and Warne's reps would have taken a dive had they played on for another year; they both left whilst bowling well but there were plenty of signs that they were on the way out. McGrath wasn't getting the same zip off the deck, for example.

 

[G.I.Joe]

Harbhajan actually played only 8 Tests in his first 3 years. He wasn't a regular until after the 2001 series. So its more like 400 wickets taken over 11 years, for purposes of extrapolation.

 

[Anku31]

Looking at Bhajji's current form,800 looks quite difficult.But he will break Kumble's (619) for sure.

 

[silentstriker]

Haha no way. I don't even think he'll get get to Kumble TBH.

 

[Anku31]

Haha no way. I don't even think he'll get get to Kumble TBH.

He is 31 at present.He will definitely play at least 6 more years from now on which means a minimum of 60 test.
220 wickets in 60 test!! Impossible for Bhajji??

 

[PhoenixFire]

Pretty speculative to say the least to assert that he'll surely play another 6 years. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he ****s his shoulder or elbow and packs it in within 3.

 

[silentstriker]

Or is dropped....

 

[Top_Cat]

Yep. Some were saying Murali would take 1000 at one stage. He got closer than anyone did but was still miles off, probably another 4 years of Tests at the rate he was taking wickets in the end. It's not rocket surgery, people age/get injured and differences most of us would never notice in our own games have a huge impact on performance at an elite level.

 

[marc71178]

It's possible if he has the full UDRS available to overturn the LBWs where the umpire errs on the side of caution.

 

[Anku31]

It's possible if he has the full UDRS available to overturn the LBWs where the umpire errs on the side of caution.

Point to be noted.

 

[smash84]

heck......Bhajji the highest wicket taker in history.......that doesn't sound too good.........i can't imagine his celebration style when he reaches 800 ugh

 

[Anku31]

Pretty speculative to say the least to assert that he'll surely play another 6 years. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he ****s his shoulder or elbow and packs it in within 3.

Count the number of times he has got injured in last ten years.