Dear Bhajji,

When I read the name Harbhajan Singh, I think of a young Sardar with lots of guts and who has his ass set ablaze.

You have always given 100% when on the field. Your commitment towards your team has been exemplary. You try and excel in each and every job assigned. Just the way your throw the ball back to the keeper’s gloves, illustrates you pursuit of perfection.

Time and again you have fought it out with the bat. Whenever you have got a chance you have proved yourself as a handy batsman. Some of your innings might make top order batsmen run for their money.

I think it all started with the surprise call for Mumbai Ranji Team while bowling at them in the nets at Mohali. You ended up playing the next match against them for Punjab. The surprises didn’t stop there. When you were planning to leave everything and find a job in US, Dada got you back in the team against Australia. You did not only end up being the highest wicket taker in the series, you also got 1st Hat-Trick as an Indian bowler.

I think the epitome was when you replaced Jumbo to lead the Indian attack in England. Though no one thought this would ever happen (cos someone actually had to replace Kumble to lead the spin attack), no one complained about it. In fact many thought that this was a positive move.

As expected, you are now the chief command of the Indian Spin Department. But Sir, Please don’t forget that you are there to bowl off spins.

I don’t understand why you are so desperate to break the stumps. As the spinner you are expected to make the batsman wait for the ball and not beat him for pace.
Spinners ball at around 90kmph when they ball a faster one. You ball at such pace normally. It hurts me to see that you are being cut through point and cover a so very often. I can’t imagine what goes through the captain’s mind when he sees the batsmen play these shots with comfort. Captains can’t afford to place a deep point when they have their strike bowler operating.

Spinners get their wickets before the ball reaches the batsman. You have to ball at around 130kmph to get the batsman out after the ball reaches to him. You have an amazing Yorker. But if you ball them @90kmph the batsman will fall in love with you.

You are not supposed to be throwing cannon balls at the batsman. You are supposed to hypnotize them to swallow the poison. They must not understand what is happening until they find themselves dead.

Last month you happened to get a bulk of Sri Lankan’s and got India the trophy. If you check the way you balled in that match you will realise what I am trying to say

Calm down mate! You are not going at Churchgate to catch the local train to your office. You are going to ball at a batsman, someone who is bemused by the skill that you posses. Slow down your run-up; loosen your grip on the ball; shorten your follow through. You will see many more balls looping towards mid-wicket and deep long on.

You shouldn’t always impose yourself. Sometimes it’s better to be patient and manoeuvre things. As a spinner you have to master the art