Bhajji's wicket-taking approach did it for him

Kanpur, Nov 20 (UNI) Man-of-the-match Harbhajan Singh said he was more keen to bowl the wicket-taking deliveries rather than containing the batsmen and it was this approach that allowed him to finish with match-winning figures of three for 31.

''I knew it was important to take wickets as you can not hold batsmen like Pietersen for quite a long time,'' Harbhajan said after India won the third ODI by 16 runs under Duckworth/Lewis method to take 3-0 lead in the series here today.

''I was not looking to contain the batsmen because I knew that if we don't get them out then it was trouble for us,'' he said.

Harbahajan, who also joined the 200-wicket club today, said he flighted the bowl well to get purchase from the wicket and that was the reason he ended up with three wickets in his kitty.

''I bowled a little slower in the air. It was a good wicket to bowl as the spinners were getting good purchase from the wicket.

''I bowled outside the off-stump with a good line and length and that was the key here,'' he added.

The off-spinner said he was contented with his contribution to the team's success and asserted that the England team has even bigger troubles ahead in the series.

After electing to bat first, Indian bowlers did well to restrict England for 240 all out after their visitors gave them a solid start putting up 72 runs for the first wicket.

In the end it came down to some quality bowling from Harbhajan which made the difference although the off-spinner was well supported by the other spinners - Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan.

''I tried well for the team and I am happy that the wickets that I took helped my team to win the match,'' he stated.

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