Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh slammed India after the series loss against South Africa. The Proteas won the second Test match by an astronomical margin of 408 runs, handing India their worst Test defeat by runs margin.
Singh noted that a T20 player can not play good Test cricket and India must get their selection right in the red-ball format. Furthermore, the Turbanator urged the hosts to play on better wickets to get more desired results.
While the Kolkata pitch had a lot of help for the bowlers, the Guwahati track was rated as a ‘road’ by Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube Channel, “The older greats of Indian cricket are great because they knew how to play five-day matches. Anyone can play T20. A T20 player cannot play Test cricket. So, mind you, whether people like it or not, the fact is that South Africa won this second match by 408 runs and won the Test series 2-0. No problem, losing Test series happens, winning also happens. But let us start playing on good Test wickets, where you need to work hard.”
Singh highlighted that India won the fifth Test match against England at Kennington Oval after working hard for five days.
“When we won that match in England on Day 5, it was so enjoyable. Siraj and the other fast bowlers bowled in such a way to win the match, that is fun, watching such matches. You need to work hard, and if you ask Siraj or Gill or anyone about that win, they will say it helped their career because they won after hard work. On good wickets, our batters scored runs and our bowlers took wickets.”
On the other hand, Singh urged the Indian curators to prepare better wickets for the team for International matches. The former Punjab spinner observed that Ranji Trophy matches are taking place on good pitches but India is playing on rank turners, which is not helping the national team.
“But earlier, what did we see? Here in India, our bowlers used to take too many wickets. The same greats would sit outside on tours abroad. Tell me, which great bowler who has taken 300 or 400 wickets sits outside on tours? I have never seen that before. And it kept happening again and again on every tour. But as soon as matches happen in India, everyone is ready, yes, I am ready, I will definitely play. It does not work like that, brother.”
“If we want a proper path forward, I feel India needs to play on good wickets, and for the next generation to develop good habits, it is very important that we play on good wickets. You play Ranji Trophy on 9 mm grass, and then Test cricket on complete dustbowls where the ball turns from the first delivery. What is this?” he added.
India and South Africa will now take on each other in a three-match ODI series.
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