Akram backs Bhajji to tip the scales in India's favour

Lahore, Oct 8 (UNI) Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has said temparamental off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will play a crucial role for India during the Test series against Australia which starts in Bangalore tomorrow.

The former Pakistan captain felt that the Indian spinners, particularly the experienced duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan, will give India the advantage over the world champions.

''I think Harbhajan holds the key for India,'' Akram was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Mail'.

''India surely have the edge with their quality spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan and it will be a matter of how the Australians play these two, right from the first Test,'' he added.

Akram said Harbhajan's aggression coupled with his intelligent bowling made him a match-winner.

''I like the way he bowls, with aggression and cunning, and those have paid dividends for him. He has tamed world's best batsman, Ricky Ponting, and can again plague the Australian master,'' Akram stated.

Ponting, rated among the top three batsmen in the world, has failed to make a mark in India so far. He has a meagre tally of 172 runs in the eight Tests that he has played on Indian soil with a disappointing average of 12.28.

Of his 14 innings, Ponting fell 13 times to the spinners with Harbhajan dismissing him five times during India's 2-1 triumph in 2001.

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