Gabba crowd on song with Harbhajan

Any doubts that controversial Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was the player Australian crowds loved to hate evaporated at a sodden Gabba tonight.

The obligatory boos at last Friday night’s Twenty20 international at Melbourne gave an insight into what Australian punters thought in the fallout from Harbhajan’s racial row with allrounder Andrew Symonds.

But a simple chant by the Brisbane faithful tonight revealed the full extent of Harbhajan’s notoriety.

Harbhajan joined an elite group of cricket villains in Australia when the Gabba resonated with “you are a wanker” by just the second over of the host’s innings in their tri-series one day tournament opener.

Just like in Melbourne, Harbhajan was booed when he came out to bat after India won the toss – and proceeded to warrant more constructive tips from frustrated punters as he belted 27 runs off 19 balls.

But something special indeed was waiting for Harbhajan when he took the field after India was bowled out for 194 from their rain affected 45 overs.

Reacting to heckling as he fielded at midoff, an amused Harbhajan waved his arms to beckon the crowd to come up with some more gems.

And following in the tradition of the MCG’s notorious Bay 13 mantra dished out to New Zealand great Richard Hadlee, the Gabba punters delivered the now famous chant.

Much to Harbhajan’s amusement.

After waving his arms for more, Harbhajan cupped his hand over his ear as if he was hard of hearing.

Or maybe the word “wanker” was lost in translation with the Indian spinner – just like Harbhajan’s alleged “teri m’aki” taunt at Symonds that opened the whole can of worms in the first place.

The lead-up to the one day tournament opener had bordered on the hysterical with warnings of security blitzes and reports that ground administrators had been told they could lose international status if hostile crowds turned on India ie Harbhajan.

The Gabba had come under scrutiny after ugly crowd incidents involving Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan in 2003 and South African players in 2006.

There seemed to be extra security at the player’s entrance when Harbhajan came on and off the ground when India was batting tonight.

But the only real headache for Gabba security was caused by an outbreak of beach balls and a Mexican wave.

And Harbhajan appeared amused – rather than offended – by the crowd taunts tonight.

Well, until the word “wanker” is explained to him anyway.

ndian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Harbhajan’s interaction with the sell out crowd was “good natured”.

“He was a lone wolf you could say, encouraging the whole stadium to respond in a big way,” he said.

“They applauded their team, Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) and Sachin (Tendulkar) but he (Harbhajan) just raised his hand to his ears and they (crowd) were all singing and dancing – it was perfect.

“You don’t expect Harbhajan to fight with the crowd.”

Dhoni said he “didn’t care” about the animated crowd response to Harbhajan which is expected to continue throughout the tri-series.

“As long as they (spectators) are not coming onto the field,” he said.

“And as long as the player is doing his job.”

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