NEW DELHI, Dec 31: Indian spin duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh are going different way in adopting to kookaburra balls which will be used in upcoming cricket series against arch-rivals Pakistan, starting early next month.

While Kumble opted to play in Ranji Trophy match against Delhi in Bangalore, Harbhajan Singh is trying his hand in getting used to kookaburra balls.

Both are vastly experienced with over 700 Test wickets between them and it isn’t as if they haven’t used kookaburra balls before in their career. But coming after stupendous success they enjoyed against Sri Lanka at home bowling with local SG balls, doing encore in Pakistan would require something special.

SG balls are man-made and have a pronounced seam while Kookaburra balls made of machines have flattened seam.

Indian spinners prefer local balls as pronounced seam allow it Spin sharply and trouble for batsmen is only accentuated because of up-and-down nature of Indian wickets.

Being a leg-spinner, Kumble though uses his wrist more than fingers and thus is less reliant on pronounced seam. That perhaps is reason he isn’t too concerned about change in balls as is relying more on variations than on hitting deck.

Harbhajan, had a prolonged spell of bowling in Tests and one-dayers, a form of game where Kumble wasn’t required for 11 matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa.—PPI