JALANDHAR: Star spinner Harbhajan
Singh on Sunday rubbished reports that India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and
his deputy Virender Sehwag had a tiff over Amit Mishra’s exclusion from the
Mirpur Test against Bangladesh.

“There was cool atmosphere in the
dressing room during the Bangladesh tour and it is only after coming back to
India that we read reports about alleged rift between Dhoni and Sehwag whereas
it was never noticed by any teammate,” Harbhajan said.

Earlier,
media reports claimed Mishra’s exclusion from the second Test in Mirpur, despite
his sterling performance in the previous match in Chittagong, led to arguments
between Sehwag and Dhoni.

Sehwag led the side in Chittagong in
absence of Dhoni who missed the match with back spasm.

Harbhajan too
sat out with a stiff neck and substituting him, Mishra grabbed the opportunity
with both hands, claiming seven wickets and notching up his maiden Test fifty in
the series opener.

Harbhajan recovered in time to play the second
Test in Mirpur but Pragyan Ojha was preferred to Mishra as second spinner.

Harbhajan said such reports could disturb the team and media should
refrain from speculations.

The off-spinner was tight-lipped about
the controversy surrounding the Pakistani players’ exclusion from the Indian
Premier League but exuded confidence of doing well against South Africa to
protect the number one status in Test cricket.

“I am sure if we will
play up to our potential, we will definitely win,” Harbhajan said.

“No doubt South Africa is in goof form but playing at home will
definitely provide us an edge and India is ready to tackle any challenge,”
Harbhajan said.

“It is must for Indian team to win the upcoming
series to maintain its status of number one team,” he said, conceding injuries
to Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh would affect the home side in the two-match
series starting February 6.

Harbhajan on Sunday witnessed the final
match of the tournament played in the memory of his late father Sardev Singh.

“It is my wish to upgrade the Sardev Memorial Tournament to national
level for which I will talk to the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA),” he said.

Winner of the tournament was given Rs One lakh, while the runners-up
side got Rs 50,000.