Harbhajan relishing captaincy

Harbhajan Singh has to manage a star-crammed side, in the wake of Sachin stepping down from the helm.

(AP file photo) 

CHENNAI: Thrust upon to sk­ip­per an injury-wrecked side in the Champions League, Ha­rbhajan Singh inspired his modest colleagues, mostly their second string, to achieve the unprecedented. A challenge of different proportion is shoved on him this IPL, to manage a star-crammed side, in the wake of Sachin Tendulkar stepping down from the helm.

 Often, it’s easier handling less talented individuals than a profusely-gifted bunch. Inflated as are their egos, it can get bruised at the slightest gust of discontent. But if Mu­mbai Indians’ opening fixture was any indication, Harbhajan has forged the sort of team-spirit that usually lands up medals of value. First, he didn’t completely overlook the Champions League winning crew, however underst­ated their credentials be. He­nce, Abu Nechim, the unassuming medium pacer retain­ed his spot, though Harbhajan had at his disposal Munaf Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni and RP Singh. “Leaving out RP and Munaf wasn’t easy, as both of them are world class players with plenty of international experience. But at the same time, Abu played a big part for us in Champions League, and dropping him would have been harsh,” he reasoned.   

So was kept the progressively reliable all-rounder James Franklin, whose outings came few and far between in the previous edition. Overall, there was clarity in his de­cisions, and so were the players on the field.

The offie credited fielding coach Jonty Rhodes for his side’s vibrancy on the field. “Lot of credit must go to Jonty Rhodes. Fielding is a very important part of the game and if you can run someone out or save 10-15 runs it can be a huge advantage in this format,” he pointed out.

For a man perceived insti­nctive and expressive, Harbh­ajan keeps his cool in the ca­p­tain’s garb. “I keep things simple. I tell them to think like captains whenever they are in the middle so that they will sh­ow more responsibility. Be­s­i­d­es, we spend a lot of time wi­th each other and make su­re we stay as friends. Many of us are staying away from our families that it’s important we stay and move together,” he sa­id. Hopefully, responsibility can propel him to regaining his national str­ipes.