‘We have dented the confidence of our batsmen’: Harbhajan Singh criticises India’s win after two and a half days

After months of limited overs cricket, the Indian cricket team will resume playing Test cricket from next month. India will take on Bangladesh in September while the grand tour of Australia will begin in November. Ahead of the tour, top spin expert Harbhajan Singh gave an interesting take on India’s ability to bowl with spin. While the bowlers bowled well at home in favourable conditions, Harbhajan feels that playing on such pitches has hit the Indian batsmen hard.

“We started playing on pitches that were spinning a lot more. We wanted to win and we won, but we won in two and a half days. I think if we had produced normal pitches that started spinning from Day 3 and Day 4, we would have still won, but the batters would have had time to settle down. We have dented the confidence of our batters because anyone gets out (cheaply) on those pitches,” Harbhajan told Sports Tak.

“We still have a chance (to rectify that). If we pay on good pitches, I don’t think anyone can beat India. The pacers that India have, the spin attack that they have, they would definitely win you Tests on Day 5, even Day 3. But if you bowl good pitches, the batsmen will score runs, and their confidence will only increase when they score runs. So I don’t think our batsmen have forgotten to bowl with spin, but the conditions have been such (in the last few years) that it has become almost impossible,” he added.

He was also asked about the absence of players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Duleep Trophy.

“It would be great if they (Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah) play in the Duleep Trophy 2024. When a big player plays in these tournaments, it motivates other players who play alongside him. These players can improve the situation (Char Chand lag jayenge). However, it is up to them whether they want to play or not. I hope they play in domestic cricket,” he said.