"Dusro Ke Liye Gaddha Khoda, Khud Gir Gaye": Harbhajan Singh's Analysis of India's Defeat
He emphasized that such conditions do not promote the essence of Test cricket, which ideally lasts five days and allows both teams a fair chance to showcase their skills. "It does not paint a good picture for Test cricket if the game ends in two-and-a-half or three days. Test cricket should go on for five days where both teams can play well," he said.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh did not hold back in his criticism of the pitch conditions during the recent Test series between India and New Zealand, particularly focusing on the spin-friendly surfaces at Wankhede Stadium. His comments come after India faced a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home, where their batting faltered significantly against New Zealand's spinners.
Harbhajan pointed out that the pitches in Pune and Mumbai were overly conducive to spin bowling, which negatively impacted both teams’ batting performances. He remarked on India’s capitulation to 121 all out while chasing a target of 146 runs in the third Test, saying, "Dusro ke liye gaddha khoda tha, gir khud giye" (dug a grave for someone else, but fell yourself). This metaphor encapsulates his view that India’s poor preparations and reliance on spin-friendly conditions ultimately backfired.
He emphasized that such conditions do not promote the essence of Test cricket, which ideally lasts five days and allows both teams a fair chance to showcase their skills. "It does not paint a good picture for Test cricket if the game ends in two-and-a-half or three days. Test cricket should go on for five days where both teams can play well," he said. Harbhajan stressed the importance of not manipulating pitch conditions too frequently, as it can lead to one team gaining an unfair advantage.
Looking ahead to India's tour of Australia, he expressed optimism, noting that the pitches there would likely be more balanced and suitable for good cricket. "While the tour of Australia will be more difficult, one good thing there is that the pitches would be better for cricket," he stated. He believes that if Indian batters play on quality wickets, they will not struggle as they did against New Zealand.
In the second Test in Pune, Mitchell Santner’s standout performance with 13 wickets helped New Zealand secure victory, while in the third Test, Ajaz Patel took 11 wickets to dismantle the Indian batting lineup. Throughout these matches, neither team managed to exceed 300 runs in any innings, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by the players.
As India gears up for their upcoming series in Australia, Harbhajan’s insights underscore the need for better pitch preparation that fosters a competitive environment for Test matches.
