India's Harbhajan Singh ... relishing his new role. - Reuters

MUMBAI, India, (Reuters):

INDIA OFFSPINNER Harbhajan Singh is enjoying the unusual challenge of bowling in the early powerplay overs and looking forward to continuing his containing role at the World Cup.

"I don't think many spinners have been bowling during powerplays the way I have," the 26-year-old said.

"I've been bowling almost four overs in the period in every game but I am enjoying it. There needs to be someone to take the responsibility and do well in that situation," he said.

India, the 1983 winners, will be in Group B with 1996 champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda.

Criticism

Harbhajan has received criticism in recent months after collecting 19 wickets at an average of 43.26 in his past 23 one-dayers.

But he said that was down to his dual role of containing while the fielders were inside the circle plus wicket-taking.

"My role changes according to the situation," said Harbhajan.

"If we get early wickets then I bowl between the 20th and 40th overs. It means we have built pressure with early wickets and I can be aggressive later."

In recent weeks, India have claimed back-to-back one-day series victories over West Indies and Sri Lanka that coincided with the return to form of left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan.

"In those cases I bowled three to four overs in powerplays and I was given the ball to try and contain," said Harbhajan. "If the batsmen take their chances and you get a wicket, that's a bonus.

"Once those overs are gone, I am trying to take as many wickets as possible with the field spread. Sometimes you get them, some times you don't."