Bhajji comes off age…..hail the new batting sensation!

There are cricketers and there are characters. Harbhajan Singh may have been crowned the latest batting sensation in world cricket today, but his innings has been a entertainer. His odd-way of batting could make the purists cringe but they are garnering him and the Indian team valuable runs. While doubts have been raised at Bhajji’s ability to torment the opposition with the ball, his stupendous touch with the willow would come as a surprise to many. Make no mistake, Bhajji’s knock had the stadium in Hyderabad on its feet and gave the cherry a real whack, but to call him an all-rounder would be too juvenile.

For starters, Bhajji will have to contribute more on a regular basis and that’s stating the obvious. Contribution need not be a century always, a crucial 40-50 runs for a team’s cause could be handy as well. Technique wise, players such as Viru and Bhajji could not feature in it but have the almighty’s gift of connecting the ball with their willow and put it to good use. Bhajji will want to be more consistent on overseas conditions if he wants to think himself as an all-rounder.

The expectations will now shoot up with him scoring twin centuries but the Sardar from Jalandhar is guarded. “I am not an all-rounder. In my opinion, Kapil Dev was the only all-rounder India ever produced and has been my idol since childhood. I am a bowler who can bat a bit,” he says.

However, Bhajji’s good showing with the bat has only multiplied the options for MSD. He will not only have more faith in Bhajji’s batting abilities but also want to elusive option of going in with 5 bowlers in Nagpur Test and in the upcoming series in South Africa.