Harbhajan Singh. (TOI Photo)

CHENNAI: Harbhajan Singh doesn't play too much cricket these days, but when it comes to the Indian Premier League, he is still one of the best in the business. The Chennai Super Kings offie has played three games so far in this year's IPL and has been Man of the Match in two, taking the wickets of Virat Kohli , AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle in the process.

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Ask him about the scalps, and the lion-hearted sardar laughs. "I have been playing 20 years at the top level and taken a few important wickets, so it doesn't matter. Never have I bowled looking at the face of the batsman," Bhajji, who was exceptional against RCB and Kings XI Punjab, told TOI.

In two days' time, he will be up against another very powerful opponent, Andre Russell, of Kolkata Knight Riders. The West Indian has been in fantastic form, but Harbhajan is as relaxed as ever. "Till I last knew, they pick me to get these batsmen out. Why should I be worried about Russell, or for that matter, anybody else?" he quipped.

Harbhajan, despite match-winning efforts in two games, has found himself out of the CSK playing XI in two games. It could become an ego issue for a player with 711 international wickets, but the veteran has seen too much of life to be affected by these. "Yes, of course, I would love to play all games, but then team composition is important. I have known MS Dhoni for donkey's years and I know team comes first for him as well. Right now, my aim is to ensure that I do the best whenever I get a chance."

Dhoni, of course, is an old mate of Harbhajan, both of them were part of the 2011 World Cup winning squad. A lot has happened since then but Bhajji still feels his onfield understanding with the CSK captain remains the same. "It's not that we don't have an odd difference of opinion about a field placement. But I exactly know what he wants, and he also probably knows what to expect from me, so things just work out well," Bhajji explained the chemistry.

Harbhajan, in the games that he has played so far, has looked more effective than he did in the entire IPL last year. The fact that he hasn't played a lot of cricket through the year makes it even more surprising, but Bhajji says that he never stops thinking how to upgrade his game. "I have gone back to my old run-up and coming in from an angle instead of the straight run-up that I was trying in the last few years. The energy in the run-up is more...And don't forget, experience too plays a huge part. You can't buy experience in the market, it's something that you acquire by playing. The rest is about keeping yourself fit and doing the right amount of training."

A question that does pop up in the process is whether Harbhajan wants to have another shot in India colours. The master spinner says he would "love to". "If they call me, I am always ready." The 50-over World Cup is a bridge too far, but T20 World Cup in a year's time could be a realistic swan song target for the Turbanator.

'It's more relaxed in CSK'

Harbhajan spent 10 years in Mumbai Indians before the franchise released him. He has won it all for Mumbai, including leading the franchise to a Champions League triumph, but Bhajji feels the pressure is a little less in CSK. "I have great respect for MI and they are wonderful this year as well, but the pressure of winning is more there. Here in CSK, it's more chilled out, you are expected to win, but it's not a matter of life and death here."

