NEW DELHI – Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was aiming to break his barren spell in English cricket Friday after slamming his country’s media over reports of his wicketless bowling for county side Essex.

Harbhajan, out of India’s national team since an England tour last year, is playing in an ongoing four-day match against Hampshire which started Thursday. On the first day, he bowled 28 overs for 73 runs without a wicket.

Indian newspapers were following progress in the Hampshire game for signs of improvement, with The Times of India headlining: “Harbhajan’s barren spell for Essex continues.”

The one-time top Indian spinner was Wednesday named in a 30-man preliminary Indian squad for the World Twenty20.

“Indian media makes the news out of nothing. Three days of county game gone in rain and they playing ‘Bhajji gone wicketless’. Well done media,” Harbhajan, who is known as Bhajji in India, wrote last Friday. “Indian media is nothing but a joke. Worst part is the people believe what they write. Come on guys grow up. Stop putting one guy down,” he added. — Agencies