Harbhajan Singh

[flemster98]

I know this may sound a bit crazy but with the imminent retirement of Anil Kumble comming up in a year or two and already with 248 wickets to his name and possibly 10 years of cricket remaining, could he possilby overtake Muralis record?

Keep in mind when Anil Kumble retires, Harbhajan will be Indias number one spinner and is only 27 years of age

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[gettingbetter]

I can see him possibly overtaking Kumble, but Murali is out of the question. It just depends on how his form is, he is often brilliant and as often quite poor and his average of 30+ is evident of this. Also, there is some pressure from other spinners - Katik, Powar and Chawla just a few.

Personally, I'd like to see Chawla be a regular in about 2 years time.

 

[panesarv]

He's got a shot.

 

[Migara]

If India plays 10 test matches per year and Harbhajan can take 6 per match, he'll take 600 wickets by then (have to be damn good for that). He'll then end up with 850. Murali neds about 25 tests to get to 850, most probably he'll end up with 925-975 test wickets. So it'll be mighty hard for Harbhajan.

 

[deira]

i really doubt he would play 10 more years, maybe 7 or 8 years max

 

[Fiery]

No chance. Hasn't got the temperament for a start. Will struggle to even keep his place in the side imo

 

[Dissector]

No chance at all. Harbhajan isn't that good a bowler and will struggle to keep his place for 10 years. He will probably become the second-choice spinner again when Chawla matures in a few years. Even if he does play for another 10 years he isn't good enough to get more than 30-40 wickets per year on average which will leave him well short of Murali.

 

[SJS]

I know this may sound a bit crazy but with the imminent retirement of Anil Kumble comming up in a year or two and already with 248 wickets to his name and possibly 10 years of cricket remaining, could he possilby overtake Muralis record?

Keep in mind when Anil Kumble retires, Harbhajan will be Indias number one spinner and is only 27 years of age

What are your thoughts on this?

Forget Murali - He will NEVER overtake Kumble. I offer 10 to 1 odds on that. Minimum bet 100 USD. Any takers ??

 

[FRAZ]

Forget Murali - He will NEVER overtake Kumble. I offer 10 to 1 odds on that. Minimum bet 100 USD. Any takers ??

haha !

 

[Richard]

Harbhajan, being a fingerspinner, will never have any chance of reaching the record of wristspinners, there aren't enough fingerspin-friendly surfaces.

 

[andruid]

In addition to what Richard just said there ia a considerable bank of young spinners in a position to relegate him to the sidelines of the Tests team in tat least two seasons

 

[Beleg]

Harbajhan Singh is among the most overrated cricketers in world cricket at the moment.
I struggle to accept that India doesn't have better spinners.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

If Harbhajan got near any of them it would be an absolute travesty. A whinging, annoying and pretty much evil little human being. Reminds me of Chucky.

 

[neville cardus]

If Harbhajan got near any of them it would be an absolute travesty. A whinging, annoying and pretty much evil little human being. Reminds me of Chucky.

Verily, sir, art thou a bloody idiot. On what grounds do you malign Bhajji so?

 

[Neil Pickup]

If India plays 10 test matches per year and Harbhajan can take 6 per match, he'll take 600 wickets by then (have to be damn good for that). He'll then end up with 850. Murali neds about 25 tests to get to 850, most probably he'll end up with 925-975 test wickets. So it'll be mighty hard for Harbhajan.

Alternatively, Harbhajan could continue at the rate of wicket-taking he's shown between 2003 and 2007, where in five years he's taken 104 scalps in 27 (out of India's 46) Tests at 35.73.

 

[jeevan]

Alternatively, Harbhajan could continue at the rate of wicket-taking he's shown between 2003 and 2007, where in five years he's taken 104 scalps in 27 (out of India's 46) Tests at 35.73.

Far more realistic scenario for Harbhajan to end up at 400 wickets or so in tests.
Powar (purely as a bowler, really needs to shape up everything else) and Chawla look more attacking options for India even in the short term.

 

[Richard]

Chawla looks nothing in the short-term to me. Should still never have played a Test or ODI right now, very poor to pick him at 17 and 18.

 

[silentstriker]

Harbhajan Singh sucks, will never be half the bowler Kumble is and I'll be happy the day he gets dropped for good.

 

[Manee]

Harbajhan Singh is among the most overrated cricketers in world cricket at the moment.
I struggle to accept that India doesn't have better spinners.

India do have better spinners at playing the strike spin bowler role than Harbhajan. However, I think that Harbhajan is the best back up spin bowler that they have. He manages to exert a tight pressure on the opposition whilst producing the wicket taking ball every so often.

When Kumble retires, India should look to other sources for strike spinners.

 

[gettingbetter]

Chawla looks nothing in the short-term to me. Should still never have played a Test or ODI right now, very poor to pick him at 17 and 18.

How so? I know your opinion that it may 'ruin' his career, but Chawla, IMO looks out of this world and is a real player to look out for in the next generation. Him playing the Test was somewhat stupid, I even think India called his selection a 'wildcard' or 'trumpcard' selection. Buy his performances in ODIs has been quite good, better than some established spinners that I have seen.

On top of that, his FC stats are remarkable, but that is a different kettle of fish when talking about Asian cricketers.