Thaindian News

Port of Spain, June 4 (IANS) Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said Saturday that India have to take one game at a time on their current tour of West Indies.

Harbhajan, who picked up two for 25 in the one-off Twenty20 international against the West Indies, said the 16-run win will the boost the confidence of the young Indian team and India will carry the confidence into the five-match ODI series that starts here Monday.

“We have a young Indian team and this win will boost their confidence. Since this is a long tour we have to take one game at a time,” he said.

Harbhajan said that it was tough for the bastmen to bat on a damp wicket at the Queen’s Park Stadium here Saturday. But man of the match Subramaniam Badrinath scored a stroke-filled 43 to help India recover from 56 for four to a challenging 159 for six in 20 overs. Harbhajan also scored a quickfire unbeaten 15 off seven balls as 72 runs came off the last five overs.

“It was a damp wicket and playing strokes was tough, but once the sun came out it was easy to bat,” he said.

Harbhajan hoped that the juniors would make the most of the opportunity arising due to the absence of the senior players. India have rested regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan, while Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag are missing due to injuries and illness. Dhoni and Zaheer are set to return for the Tests.

“We have young players, who have done well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and first class matches. They are eager to perform in this series,” he said.

Harbhajan, however, warned his team mates not to take the West Indies lightly.

“West Indies are a good side. We cannot take them lightly,” he said.