Harbhajan Singh defends Suresh Raina

Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh on Monday defended his young teammate Suresh Raina saying he was clean and rubbished media reports alleging his connection in a spot-fixing scandal.

?Such reports have no basis and are shameful?, the offspinner said, batting for Raina.

In town for a product launch, Bhajji said, “I don’t know what to say. It is all rubbish and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has cleared everything.”

Recently a report in a UK daily had alleged that Raina was seen in the company of a woman known to be an associate of a bookmaker’s man. The incident had purportedly taken place during the Indian tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Talking about India?s preparedness for the upcoming series against New Zealand, the tweaker said, ?To be honest we are high on confidence after winning both the ODI (One-day International) and Test series against Australia and are hoping to do well against the Kiwis.?

Asked about Bangladesh’s 4-0 whitewash against the New Zealand, the Turbanator said, ?I did not watch the series but heard about the 4-0 victory. Bangladesh are an improving side and other teams should be careful.?

?They can be a very dangerous team in their backyard during the upcoming World Cup,” he said.

The spinner whose career got a fresh life after his super success at the Eden Gardens against Australia in 2001, signed off by saying, ?Eden has been lucky for me and I hope it continues to remain the same when we return to play here at the World Cup.?