Spin bragging rights up for grabs at Eden

On Harbhajan Singhs home ground of 12 years,the halo is now around Sunil Narine. At the Indian off spinners beloved Eden Gardens

On Harbhajan Singhs home ground of 12 years,the halo is now around Sunil Narine. At the Indian off spinners beloved Eden Gardens,Sachithra Senanayakes mysteries are being spoken about more. Wednesdays match between KKR and MI will see if Harbhajan is taking this as a personal affront.

He has never returned from Eden empty-handed. But Harbhajan has a bigger role to perform tomorrow. Its about stopping the bragging rights that the overseas spin duo enjoy here. Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja did it last week,sharing five wickets between them and befuddling Kolkatas middle-order. The onus is now on Harbhajan and Pragyan Ojha he is expected to play on a slow turner – to make a statement.

Harbhajan has been steady in this IPL with six wickets from as many matches at an economy rate of 6.95. Ojha too has performed decently with five wickets in the four matches he played. Both,however,have failed to make an impact like Narine.

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Kolkatas inconsistent performance this season notwithstanding,the Trinidadian has grown in stature snapping 11 wickets,including a hat-trick,from six matches at an excellent economy rate of 5.91.

Senanayake has complemented him very well since making his IPL debut three matches ago. Though he hasnt picked wickets in a heap,the Sri Lankan has conceded just 64 runs in his 12 overs. Even the Chennai batsmen with their proven track record against spin,struggled to score freely against the Kolkata tweakers.

Narine has a long way to go to match Harbhajan as a bowler in international cricket. But T20 is a funny format and it has its own specialists like the 25-year-old who has managed to retain his mystery after playing so many matches. The challenge for Harbhajan and Ojha will be to show fans that what the foreigners can do,the Indians can do better,still bowling conventional.

Mumbai bowled badly against Delhi and couldnt defend 161. Harbhajan went wicket-less in his three overs,giving away 30 runs. Ojha was left out of the playing XI.

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Kolkatas worries centre around their batting. Except Gambhir and Eoin Morgan,others havent fired yet. Not only are they lacking in the champion aura; after losing the low-scoring affair against Chennai,their home invincibility too is under threat. So on match eve,Gambhir issued a veiled warning to some of his non-performing team mates.

Wearing a Kolkata jersey itself is the biggest motivation. There are many more in the dressing room who are dying to wear the jersey. You should be sitting at home and watch others play (if you are not pumped up enough), the Kolkata captain let fly.

Tomorrow Sachin Tendulkar will play in front of 67,000 fans on his 40th birthday. The best gift we can present to him (Tendulkar) is a win tomorrow, team mentor Anil Kumble said.