Harbhajan crucial for India in England, says Gambhir

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh  will shrug off his indifferent form and will be a crucial bowler  for India during their tour of England, vice-captain Gautam  Gambhir said yesterday.

Harbhajan, who is just two wickets away from capturing 400  test victims, trailed behind part-time left-arm spinner Yuvraj  Singh in the wickets tally during the World Cup and has not  performed to his potential since.

He has taken four wickets in three ODIs and five wickets in  the first two tests in the ongoing tour of the Caribbean and has  been criticised for bowling defensively.

“For someone who has just about taken 400 wickets, how can  his form be a worry,” Ghambir told reporters.

“He is going to be a crucial person for us in England. He  will deliver for us, I am very confident about that.”

India will play four tests, five one-day internationals and  a Twenty20 match during their two-month tour of England,  starting July 15.

Gambhir said there was nothing wrong with the off-spinner’s  bowling and requested fans to be patient.

“In India we expect a bowler to take five wickets in every  game and a batsman to score a 100 in every innings,” Gambhir  said. “That is just not possible because every one is a human  being.”