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Australia should not mistake antagonist Harbhajan Singh’s vow to shed his bad boy image to mean their upcoming Test series against India will lack fire.
The warning came via former Indian Test all-rounder Ajit Agarkar, in Brisbane with a Calcutta Knight Riders development squad, which will play three games against the Queensland Bulls.
The Knight Riders are being prepared for the Indian Premier League (IPL) by former Australian and Queensland mentor John Buchanan.
The controversial Singh, and fiery Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, were at the centre of a racial-abuse storm last summer that had both countries on a knife’s edge.
“I’m sick of all the bad boy crap, I’ve no interest in hearing about how controversies follow me wherever I go,” said Singh on the eve of India’s home Test series against Australia.
Singh was banned for three Tests for calling Symonds a “monkey”.
The punishment was subsequently overturned after influential Indian officials threatened to call off the tour.
“I’m going to stay away from all that,” said Singh in India, after Symonds admitted he needed to change things after again falling foul of officialdom.
The fastest player to reach the 1,000 run 200 wicket double in 133 one-day internationals, Agarkar said Singh’s comments did not mean the Test series, starting early next month, would be any less intense.
“I only know about Andrew from what I’ve read in the papers,” said Agarkar.
“Maybe Harbhajan has been carrying that bad boy tag for too long and wants to improve that a little bit.
“Hopefully he doesn’t want to get into as many controversies as he has in the past and just concentrate on his cricket.”
Agarkar said having Australia’s Test stars teaming up with the Indians in the recent IPL Twenty20 competition had helped eased tensions.
“I’m sure it helped in a way,” he said.
“They probably got to know the players a little more closely sitting in the same dressing room.
“But it’s still going to be fierce and there might be some stages where you’re just about on the line.
“That’s what Test cricketers look forward to, as long as you don’t cross the line.”
Agarkar said Australia’s lack of experience combating India’s harsh conditions could count against them.
“Not a lot of Australian batsmen or bowlers have played Test cricket in India so on paper you’d probably say India are favourites,” he said.
He named Harbhajan as Australia’s danger man.
“He’s got a phenomenal record in India, especially against the Aussies,” he said.
India wants to avenge its 2004 loss to Ricky Ponting’s tourists – the first Australian side to beat them on home soil since Bill Lawry’s 1969-70 invaders.
Without the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Damien Martyn, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist – and containing just four players who’ve played Test cricket in India – the hosts fancy their chances.
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