Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh considers himself a better bowler now than when he shot into international limelight taking 32 wickets against Australia in the momentous series of 2000-01.“I am more confident now than I was in 2001. Then, I was not sure if I would do it again,” said the Punjab offie who became the fastest Indian to 200 Test wickets in the first Test against Zimbabwe said.Harbhajan reached the milestone in his 46th Test while his senior teammate Anil Kumble needed 47 Tests. Harbhajan is also the second youngest to touch the landmark, the world record standing in the name of Kapil Dev.“When I made my debut in 1998-99, I was new and did not believe in myself. I just wanted to take wickets and remain in the team,” Harbhajan said.The spinner also emphasised the fact that he needed to continue improving to remain successful in international cricket. “It has all happened so quickly. Now will be the tough period since batsmen around the world know your stuff. If I work hard and remain consistent, the graph will go up,” he said.Talk about the Harbhajan-Anil Kumble combination and he feels that the duo does not receive the praise and recognition it deserves.“You get more respect only when you leave the game. Hopefully, we would have done enough to be spoken about in the same manner as the famous spin quartet of the 70s by the time we leave.”Harbhajan said he could not care less about some match referees who, he felt, were intent on nit-picking on his action.
