Harvinder reborn

TO me, one of the endearing memories of this Indian tour of Zimbabwe will be the last over bowled by Harvinder Singh in the first league match against the West Indies, in Bulawayo. In conceding just two runs in the over, the Punjab lad made a big impression. I have not seen an Indian bowler come up with a tight last over in a long time now. Of course, Zaheer Khan has been performing the role creditably, but in Harvinder's case you will have to remember that he was making a comeback.

Harvinder, known as Harru to friends, has shown steely resolve in making his presence felt in Indian cricket. It was a triumph of spirit in his case, a triumph for hard work.

I have known Harvinder from the time he was making waves in age-group cricket in Punjab. Hailing from a humble background and travelling daily on a cycle from Shiratha village to Amritsar for practice made him a strong character. It was this quality which played a decisive role in shaping his career.

It was his passion for the game that brought him to Amritsar. It was his passion to emulate Waqar Younis that provided the young lad the incentive to undergo such hardships early in life. His desire to play for India was fierce and I know it because I saw him pursue his career in cricket with such devotion.

He was a bully in junior cricket with that style as he picked wickets at will. I remember well how he dominated the age-group competition and made batsmen hop and withdraw to square leg with his pace. He graduated to play for Punjab and served the team well.

A place in the Indian team was a dream come true for Harvinder but soon he discovered that survival was tougher than gaining entry into the side. He lost his place soon and life became difficult for him because the Waqar style of action led to a back injury which laid him low. It was not advisable in the first place because it always pays to be original. They were formative years and Harvinder probably lacked guidance. And then someone told him he had to forget the Waqar style because it was responsible for his poor shape.

Those were very difficult days for Harvinder. He lost his place in the side and then the Punjab Communications Limited sacked a lot of cricketers. It was now a battle for livelihood for this lively youngster. He went around for a job and I remember he came to Patiala but nothing worked for him. He found a helping hand in coach Bakshi who also gave Harvinder financial assitance for quite some time. And then former Board coach Vinod Sharma came like an angel and offered Harvinder a job in the Railways. He was a man in need and grabbed the chance. But his woes were not yet over. The pain returned and Harvinder once again saw his dreams crashing around him.

And then, as he told me, a chance trip to Chennai changed his career. He went to MRF Pace Foundation and met Dennis Lillee and that turned out to be the turning point of his career.

Lillee told him that his acute side-on action was causing extra stress on his back and he needed to change his style. Lillee suggested chest-on action and Harvinder's career changed. Adversity became a stepping stone for success in Harvinder's case.

The change in action brought the desired results for Harvinder. It made him unpredictable and he was now able to jag the ball in. It was missing from his range earlier. The back pain disappeared and Harvinder began enjoying his bowling once again. In his second stint Harvinder made an impact in domestic cricket.

I must compliment the National selectors for recalling Harvinder at the right time. He needed this encouragement and it was recognition for some good work in the domestic circuit. Harvinder came out of his hibernation without any signs of rustiness. He looked unfazed in the big league. The tearaway fast bowler had matured into a much more effective performer for the Indian team. He has developed the right acumen - pitching the ball up and swinging it both ways to make life difficult for the batsmen.

Harvinder's biggest strength is his ability to keep his nerves in the slog overs. This was one area which has troubled the Indian attack for long and with his arrival I am sure the team will gain a lot. Harvinder can contain the batsmen at the 'death' and that to me is the most significant gain from this one-day series. He may have gone for a few runs in some matches but he can be developed into a bowler with the right frame of mind to handle the slog overs.

It was not easy containing the West Indians. For that matter, it is not easy to bowl in the slog overs. You have to be quick, possess a lethal yorker and have variety in your bowling. If you have a slower one then it adds to make you a formidable bowler to tackle in the 'death'.

Not many can boast of having the pace of a Waqar or a Wasim. That is why a bowler has to have variety to become effective in both forms of cricket. This was one aspect which was missing from Javagal Srinath's bowling. He used to struggle to be a potent force in the slog overs and never could develop the yorker or the slower one to fox batsmen.

Harvinder and Zaheer form a very good pair and the team management would do well to pursue with them. Zaheer is aggressive and has the variety to keep batsmen guessing. The left-armer can be a match-winner with his crafty bowling in all conditions.

How times have changed. Last season India was struggling to find a decent third seamer and now there are many knocking on the doors. It should keep those in the team on their toes because the reserves would be as good.