Bhajji-Jumbo: double trouble

Both the slow bowlers are vital cogs in Rahul Dravid’s scheme of things once India’s campaign gets underway.

Kumble remains the perpetual thinking bowler who’s earned his reputation through the precision of his line and length, googlies and unorthodox splicing of deliveries at crucial moments. Harbhajan, on the other hand, is as passionate as they come, commands respect when the ball is in his hands and turns it as any off-spinner would. His doosra is as big a threat as any in limited over cricket.

However, the limitations of ODI cricket will not allow Dravid to field the two simultaneously, but the question is who to drop? Dravid certainly will face a tough time. In recent times, nevertheless, both these bowlers have faced uncomfortable situations and that is one reason to make the skipper keep his fingers crossed.

While Kumble didn’t make it to the West Indies, during the Test and ODI series last year, he still has enough experience to steer India out of trouble. Harbhajan, on the other hand, was a part of the squad that played in the five-match one-day series but the offie returned with just three wickets.

As for the numbers, the duo easily boasts of a collective total of 504 wickets in one-dayers, enough to make any batsman sit back and take notice.