Ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said he washungry to win more matches for his country and was ready to take overthe mantle of the strike spin bowler if so required.
The 23-year-old Harbhajan, who was preferred overveteran Anil Kumble for the larger part of the World Cup earlier this year, saidhe enjoyed bowling in tandem with the 32-year-old leggie and together they havebeen quite successful.
"I consider Kumble as a senior bowler and respecthim. I think we have done a good job together," Harbhajan, one of the 36probables undergoing the conditioning camp for the upcoming New Zealand homeTest series, told reporters in Bangalore.
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But Harbhajan said he knew one day he would have tostep in to Kumble's shoes and he was prepared for that.
"Obviously Kumble is a great bowler and has beenwinning matches for a long-time. But somebody has to come and take his spot. So,I would be happy if I can do that," he said.
Harbhajan said whenever he was out in the middle hisfirst priority was to help the team win the match rather than botherabout his individual performance.
"Whenever I go, I just try to take wickets. As abowler, you have to take as many wickets for your country. Otherwise, it is ofno use going out there.
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"I know ultimately I have to win matches for thecountry. That is more important for me than taking two or five wickets."Asked about his injured spinning finger, Harbhajan said it was okay now thoughhe was still undergoing physiotherapy.On India's tour of Australia later this year, Harbhajan said if the team playedto its potential, it could beat Australia in their own backyard.
"If we play to our potential, we can really winthe series against Australia. The tour would be a tough one but we are also agood side capable of beating anyone on our day."
Asked if he saw any rolefor spinners on the fast tracks in Australia, Harbhajan shot back: "When ShaneWarne can take wickets, why not we? The pitches would start turning on the thirdand fourth day of Test matches, and the role of spinners will be crucial,"he said.
He said the ongoing fitness-specific camp was bound todo a world of good to the players ahead of the two-Test series against NewZealand and the following tri-series which has Australia as the third team.
"We have to be very fit when we take on NewZealand and Australia and in this context this camp is extremelyimportant." Harbhajan said, adding the team's fitness levels had improved byseveral notches in the recent past and it reflected in the good results producedby the side.
PTI
