Harbhajan guided me like God, says Sreesanth

Such performances by players get teammates excited and Dravid cannot be blamed if he spoke about Harbhajan and the legendary West Indian all-rounder in the same breath.

Harbhajan's unbeaten 85 off only 82 balls took India to a position of strength on Day Three of the second Test against New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium yesterday. India reached 436 for nine with Sreesanth not out on 14. It can be recalled that Harbhajan had slapped Sreesanth during the inaugural edition of the IPL at Mohali in 2008. Sreesanth was representing hosts Kings XI Punjab while Harbhajan was playing for Mumbai Indians. But there wasn't a trace of bitterness when they put on an unbroken, 69-run partnership for the last wicket.

"Hopefully, Bhajji will get another hundred like he did in the last Test match at Ahmedabad where he saved us.

He is dominating the bowlers very well," said Dravid, who admired the way the Sardar of Spin has worked hard on his batting over the years. "He has improved by the day as a batsman and is now a clean striker of the ball," stressed Dravid, who scored 45 before being trapped leg before wicket by paceman Tim Southee.u00a0

VVS Laxman, who is playing his maiden Test at his home city, Hyderabad was all set to score a fairy tale hundred but he perished via a leg before decision of a Chris Martin delivery for 74 off 160 balls.

Earlier, in the first session, Sachin Tendulkar tried to attack Daniel Vettori only to be caught wonderfully by Ross Taylor for 13. It was a big wicket for sure, but no praise can be too high for Taylor who took a blinder.

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