Cricket

'Bhajji toh on fire hai kuch dino se' - Fans react as Harbhajan Singh calls out 'fake confidence' after playing on spinning tracks

Harbhajan Singh called out India's 'fake confidence' after playing exceptionally well on spinning tracks. Here's more.

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Daniel S
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Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh (Source: Twitter)

Legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh questioned India's preparation for important matches, particularly in pace-friendly circumstances, after India's defeat to Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval. Australia became the first team to win all major trophies after defeating India by 209 runs in the final of the World Test Championship at The Oval.

At the Oval in London on Sunday, Australia won the 2023 WTC for the first time after defeating India over five days. Mohammad Shami was the last man standing as India was dismissed for 234 in 63.3 overs while chasing 444, with a score of 13(8)*.

Harbhajan stated that India cannot adequately prepare itself for major confrontations by playing Test matches in just three days on spin-friendly Indian wickets and that they must work hard for all five days, making it their habit.

‘There are a lot of things we should rectify’ – Harbhajan Singh

"You cannot give yourself that fake confidence after playing and winning matches on bad pitches where the ball starts spinning from ball one. You will have to develop a habit of working hard for five days. Only then you will find yourself prepared better for these big matches. Fast bowlers do not get to bowl much on these pitches, spinners are used right from the first over. There are a lot of things we should rectify," Harbhajan told Star Sports after the match.

The wickets were incredibly spin-friendly in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia at home earlier this year, and three out of the four Tests were completed in three days. The top wicket-takers in the series were spinners, led by Ravichandran Ashwin (25 wickets), Ravindra Jadeja (22), and Nathan Lyon (22).

For the first time in recent years, Team India players won't play any cricket for a month. On the next tour against West Indies, India will play two Test matches, three ODIs, and five T20Is. A new-look India side has been selected by former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh for the T20I series, which will start on August 3.

Harbhajan Singh's India T20I squad for West Indies series: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, RInku Singh, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Akash Madhwal

Here's how fans reacted:

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