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[nahia]

Having aired his view that the Ferozeshah Kotla track was unsuitable for international matches, star Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said the Motera pitch in Ahmedabad is not ideal for Test cricket either.

"The Ahmedabad pitch (which hosted the first India-Sri Lanka Test in November) was purely a batting pitch and bowlers -- be it me, Amit Mishra or Muttiah Murlitharan -- all were butchered by the batsmen, which was not at all justice to the bowlers," Harbhajan said in an interview.

The drawn match in Ahmedabad produced 1598 runs and just 21 wickets fell in five days of play.

"We should not play Test matches on such kind of wicket, because they will finish all the bowlers. They are not fit for any kind of cricket," he said, adding that pitches should be made keeping in mind a balance between the bat and ball.

"We should prepare such wickets for Test matches, where fast bowlers can get advantage on initial days and later on spinners can show their talent," said Harbhajan while giving full marks to the pitch at Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.

The 29-year-old spinner was happy that the Cricket Board was trying to arrange more Test matches this year, which he said would help India retain the top spot for longer time.

"It is great idea to play more Tests. Winning more Test matches this year, India can maintain top position in Test cricket. In 2009, we played only six Tests and attained world number one. I hope this year we will at least play 10 to 12 Test matches and by winning most of them we can strengthen our top position," he said.

In the past 14 months, India has risen from third in the ICC Test Championships to number one spot and Harbhajan feels the current side would be remembered as one of the best in Indian history.

"If you see the record, we are the best side. We defeated New Zealand at their home after 35 years, defeated Australia after 24 years, won Twenty20 World Cup. The team has achieved a lot and I think probably this is the best team which people will remember its contribution to the game in the country for long time," he said.

On the personal front, he was also happy with his contribution to the team which has become the top dog in Test cricket.

"I am satisfied with my performance. I took 29 wickets in the six Test matches in 2009, out of which six wickets against the New Zealand, which is always tough for any spinner on the pitches of NZ.

"In 2008 I took 64 wickets in 12 Tests and if we had played the same number in 2009 I would have matched the 2008 performance," he said adding that he would now concentrate on his fitness as the game has now become more demanding.

[jazzykhan62]

yar ap log kese pora cricket dek lete ho mai to bore ho jata hon bhot chabatay hain really he tryong to kill us........................................................
Regards,
Jahanzeb Khan-6911