New Delhi, October 27, 2024: Following India’s recent Test series loss to New Zealand, former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed concerns over the confidence levels of Indian batters, attributing their struggles to the prevalence of spin-friendly pitches, often referred to as “rank turners.”
Injury-Laden Series Loss
India faced a tough challenge in the series, which marked their first home Test series loss to New Zealand. On a turning pitch in Pune, the team struggled to post competitive scores, managing only 156 and 245 runs, while New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner excelled, claiming 13 wickets in the match.
Confidence Crisis for Key Players
Harbhajan highlighted the impact of these conditions on players like Ajinkya Rahane, whose career he believes has suffered due to playing on such surfaces. “If you have had a great record at home for so long and if you lose, obviously there will be chatter. Credit to New Zealand for playing the way they did,” he said, acknowledging the challenging conditions.
Questioning Team Strategy
The former cricketer was blunt in his critique of the Indian team’s strategy, suggesting it has become counterproductive. “We are playing mostly on turners with the hope that we will win the toss, score 300, and control the game. But we don’t know if we have the batting to wriggle out on turners,” he stated, emphasizing how this environment has eroded the confidence of the batters.
Comparison with International Conditions
Harbhajan also compared India’s pitches with those prepared in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries, arguing that while those pitches may favor home teams, they still allow for more natural wear and tear. “Here, if you don’t know which ball will turn and which one will go straight, you are forever fighting doubts about whether to attack or defend,” he noted.
The Impact on Selection and Performance
As players struggle to perform on home turf, Harbhajan warned that a lack of runs can severely impact their chances in overseas tours. “You have three bad home Tests, but selectors know you are a good player. By then, not having runs under your belt starts playing havoc with your mindset,” he explained.
Critique of Pitches and Team Management
In his assessment, Harbhajan couldn’t help but use sarcasm when discussing the type of pitches favored by the Indian team management. He argued that preparing excessively spin-friendly tracks limits the development of bowlers who excel in varied conditions. “If you prepare rank turners, you don’t play spinners who can turn the ball on the flattest of decks,” he concluded, suggesting a need for a more balanced approach.
