Master of control

Raja M

The West Indian resistance crumpled like a Chennai papadam in Harbhajan Singh’s 28th over. Ryan Hinds, Gareth Breese and Merv Dillon fell in the space of five balls to Harbhajan’s sustained attack just outside off.

Shouldering 48% of India’s bowling today, as against 33% yesterday, Harbhajan strangled Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ryan Hinds, the two overnight batsmen, giving them just eight runs off 49 balls. As many as 53 of the 66 balls Harbhajan bowled today were bang on a good length. And like yesterday, when he stuck to a line outside off for 55% of his bowling, he sent down 51% of his deliveries in the same region. His disciplined length ensured that he didn’t concede a single run square of the wicket.

The West Indian batsmen did not try to disturb his length with the sweep shot. They swept just seven times off Harbhajan’s 180 balls in the second innings. A pity, because the shot had fetched them 31% of the runs they managed off Harbhajan today.

Raja M is staff writer of Wisden.com in India.

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