Ponting not a complete batsman, says Bhajji

Ricky Ponting might be regarded as one of the best modern-day batsman, but his nemesis Harbhajan Singh feels otherwise.

The off-spinner, who has always enjoyed an upper-hand against Ponting, said he did not consider the Australian captain a "complete batsman" because of his failure to play spin bowling.

"Ponting had a lot to say about our players and about the way we play our cricket. In fact, it is Ponting who first needs to go and learn to bat against spin bowling.

"He got a hundred in the first Test match in Bangalore but I don't think that is enough, he needs to comeback and score some more before he can claim to be a complete batsman," said Harbhajan, who picked up 15 wickets in the series which India won 2-0."I can get Ponting out any time, I think I can get him even after I come post a six-month lay off," Harbhajan told a sports channel.

Harbhajan said India drew inspiration from the Sydney controversy to beat the world champions in the recent series.Harbhajan was involved in the Monkeygate scandal during the Sydney Test earlier this year when the Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds accused the off-spinner of hurling racist abuse at him.Australia also had to cope with a lot of criticism for being unsporting even as India threatened to call-off the tour.

"I think the events in the Sydney Test match really hurt all of us. The things that they accused me of and their overall approach irked us as a team. The events at the Sydney Test match inspired this win."During the series, the Australians continued to play mind games. Adam Gilchrist and Symonds did it in their books while Ponting did in his captain's diary.

Harbhajan lashed out at them for employing cheap tactics to shore up the sale of their books."The whole team was infuriated by the claims made by Adam Gilchrist about Sachin Tendulkar. He is a legend and insulting him was a big mistake and Gilchrist accused him of things that he never did."

Tendulkar gets threat from JeM, security tightened

Jaish-e-Mohammad, a terrorist organisation active in Jammu and Kashmir, has reportedly threatened to kidnap Sachin Tendulkar.
Following the threat Tendulkar's security has been tightened.
Tendulkar is currently in Nagpur with the Indian team for the fourth and final Test match against Australia.
The Nagpur Test begins on November 6. India already lead the series 1-0 winning the second Test by 320 runs at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.
"There is information of threat to Sachin from Jaish-e-Mohammad. We will, provode extra security now. He also faces threat of kidnapping from the terror outfit," Nagpur Commissioner Naveen Dixit said.
Nagpur Joint Commissioner of Police BJ Kangale assured special security for Tendulkar.
"There is no new threat on Sachin's life. We are taking all precautionary measures," Kangale said.
Security has also been beefed up at the old stadium of the Vidarbha Cricket Association at Civil Lines, where the two teams will have net sessions for the next two days.
The match will be played at the new stadium in Jamtha, about 16 kms from Nagpur.

posted by

Anbu.