After an injury-induced lay-off of six months,off-spinner Harbhajan Singh declared he was "200 per cent" fit andworking on a "magic ball" that would take his opponents by surprise.
"I have been working on a magic ball. I won't tellyou (anymore on that). You will see it definitely... it is going to be asurprise," he told reporters on the sidelines of the fitness camp forAsia Cup probables in Bangalore.
Harbhajan said he had been engaged in a rehabilitationprogramme suggested by physio Andrew Leipus and doctors to strengthen hisspinning finger and now he was "200 per cent fit".
"I have started bowling since the last one monthor so and am feeling confident the way it's going. I have been working onfitness. Let's see how it works. I just can't wait to get into the middle," he said.
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Harbhajan said every match he had to sit outbecause of injury was frustrating.
"Missing out the Pakistan tour was painful, but Australia was the mostfrustrating. I wanted to do well there. Unfortunately, I could not play the fullseries. I just played one Test and got injured," he said.
"It was frustrating to sit out and watch. But whatever has happened ishistory. I just want to continue with fitness and hard work. I am lookingforward to the Asia Cup and Test matches," the offie said.
Asked if he had justified the expectationsreposed on him after the 2001 series against Australia when he tormented the Aussiebatsmen and took 32 wickets, Harbhajan replied in the affirmative.
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"After the Australia series, I was the number twobowler in the world for two years. I had taken 63 wickets in oneseason and 64 wickets in the next season which is good," he said but added he wouldnow have to start from scratch again.
"Now I have to start everything again. More likean under-19 boy who wants to play for India. Whatever I had done, is gone.Now I have to start my career again, and hopefully do the same thing as I hadbeen doing for the country (before the injury). I will be happy to win matches for India like I had been doing."
On Saurav Ganguly's comment that he was keen to seeHarbhajan fit before the series against Australia, the Punjab spinner said it was amatter of pride for him that the captain wanted him in the team.
Asked if it was an ideal situation to return to one-daycricket (Asia Cup) after the injury lay-off, Harbhajan replied "I am just looking forward to the matches, no matter Tests orone-dayers."
PTI
