JAIPUR, (PTI): Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today said that he would be available for the Indian cricket team”s forthcoming tour of West Indies but was not aware of the plans of other senior players. “I have no idea from where the news (of senior players opting out of West Indies tour) have poured in. As far as I am concerned I am available for the tour,” Harbhajan told reporters ahead of his IPL side Mumbai Indians’ match against Rajasthan Royals here tomorrow.
“As far as others are concerned neither I have talked to anybody nor anybody has talked to me. We will be playing three Tests there and I don’t want to miss any of those,” he said.
Talking about the winning streak of the Mumbai Indians, Harbhajan said that he was happy the way things were going.
“I am happy with the way things have gone till now. We have been through rough patches but one or the other has been able to pull us through. Like in the last match Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symonds batted well to help us to a reasonable score which could be defended,” he said.
Asked about the good form of Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne, Harbhajan said, “He is great cricketer and greatest spinner. I myself would be talking to him and get tips so that I can prolong my international career.”
Harbhajan praised his team-mate Ambati Rayudu, saying that the youngster is a “special talent”.
“It would also be a challenge for youngsters like Rayudu to face a great spinner (in Warne). He (Rayudu) is a special talent and we always knew that.
He was unfortunately lost in-between but lately he has been performing well. He is capable of filling in the big shoes of great Indian batsmen like VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid,” he added.
Talking about his own role in the side, Harbhajan said that it had not changed much.
“I and seniors like Sachin try and build the team like a unit and instil confidence in the youngsters by telling them to be part of think tank,” said Harbhajan.
Asked about the sharp fielding of Mumbai Indians which has helped them win a few matches, Harbhajan said that the players have responded to the drills of fielding coach Jonty Rhodes.
“We have South African Jonty Rhodes as the fielding coach and the boys have responded well. In the previous match it was the fielding rather my five-wicket haul which had won the match for us.”