Even as Ravichandran Ashwin toyed with the Aussie batting at Chennai, exploiting the helpful conditions on offer to the hilt, the senior off spinner in the side struggled quite poorly. Harbhajan Singh never looked like getting a wicket in the first innings, and when he eventually did, it was that of a tailender. He did much better in the second essay, picking up two proper batsmen with good deliveries. Even then, he was nowhere as near as deadly as he was at his peak. One isn’t expecting Singh to repeat the heroics of 2001, but he needs to look penetrative for the team to depend on him to pick wickets. Considering his struggles, one wonders whether he has lost that magic touch. We observe his numbers closely to try and answer the tough question.
1998-2001
In this early phase of his career, Singh featured in 20 Tests and grabbed 81 wickets at an average of 29.22 with six five-wicket hauls. Fifty eight of those wickets came in India in 11 Tests at an average of 23.60, 34 of those against the Aussies in four Tests at a miserly average of 20. Away from home, Singh managed only 23 wickets in nine Tests at an average of over 43. These were indications that Singh was not a man for all seasons, but it was too early to point a finger at him.
2002-2005
In what was possibly the most productive phase of his career, Singh featured in 30 Tests and picked up 138 wickets, averaging an impressive 27. During this period, the in-form off spinner also snatched 11 five-wicket hauls. Again, he was strong at home as compared to away. In familiar conditions, he scalped 96 wickets in 17 Tests with nine five-wicket hauls at an average of 24. Although his away figures paled in comparison, there was a significant improvement. Singh succeeded in picking up 42 wickets in 13 Tests with two five-fors, averaging a decent 33.61.
2006-2009
This was the period where Singh was beginning to falter. In the four-year period, he featured in 30 Tests, and while he picked up 124 wickets with the help of six five-wicket hauls, his average went up significantly – 36.03. Surprisingly, he wasn’t effective at home as well. In 17 home Tests, Singhmanaged to pick up 73 wickets at an average of 35, with only two five-wicket hauls. His away figures were pretty similar – 51 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 37. The only impressive aspect was that he managed four five-wicket hauls away from home.
2010-present
These are the figures that would worry you most if you are an Indian selector. In his last 20 Tests, Singh has picked up only 68 wickets, with his bowling average even breaching the 40 mark. Only two five-wicket hauls have come during this period. At home during this phase, Singh has snared a mere 36 wickets in nine Tests. Away from home, he has picked up 32 scalps in 11 Tests averaging 45.
Unless Singh does something magical, circa 2001, there is only one way his career graph his heading – downwards.
--By A Cricket Analyst
