Take time and plan before each delivery, Harbhajan tells Indian bowlers

A shellacking like the one the Indian bowlers received in the first Twenty 20 international at the hands of the Sri Lankan batsmen at Nagpur can dent anyone's confidence. Ashish Nehra and Co will be under some pressure in the second T20 game at Mohali today.

Nehra was hit for 52 runs in four overs, Yusuf Pathan for 54 in four, Pragyan Ojha for 27 in two and debutant Ashok Dinda for 34 in three as the Lankans amassed 215 for five in 20 overs.

The most experienced member of the Indian bowling attack, Harbhajan Singhu00a0 urged his teammates to be bravehearts if they wanted to survive in twenty20 cricket.

"All I can say is enjoy the moment. You are going to be hit, have a braveheart and don't let it affect you. You may be hit for two to three sixes, but take up the challenge and be up for the next ball," Harbhajan told MiD DAY ahead of the game to be played on his homeground at Mohali.

Harbhajan, who is not playing the T20 games against Sri Lanka but has been an integral part of India's T20 squad since the 2007 ICC World T20 triumph, advised the bowlers not to rush things under pressure and pause before every delivery. "I will tell them to take a bit of time, not too much, and think before bowling a ball," the Indian off-spinner said.

"It's a T20 cricket and it's not that all the bowlers will have a great day. It is all about hitting the ball out of the park.

"It doesn't mean that you are a good or a bad bowler. Test cricket is the real game where you have a fair chance to prove you are good enough or no," said Harbhajan.
India's recent T20 form has been poor. Wednesday's defeat was their fourth loss in succession.