‘This is not the way to save Test cricket’: Harbhajan Singh slams Indian team’s current approach to red-ball format | Cricket News

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s spin resources and pitches used during the recent home Test series, insisting that India currently lack a right-arm specialist suited to the format. Speaking to PTI on Friday, Harbhajan said the 2-0 defeat against South Africa exposed deeper structural problems in India’s bowling plans and field preparation.

“It looks like (India don’t have a right-arm specialist for Test cricket),” Harbhajan told PTI, pointing out that the Proteas were dominating Indian spinners. He said Washington Sundar remains the closest option in the current setup, but he needs a lot more workload to develop. “I think Washington Sundar is there, but we will have to play him more. He will have to be bowled for 30-35 overs in a Test match to make him a bowler,” he said. Harbhajan argued that India’s long-standing habit of preparing dry, turning tracks stunts the growth of batters and spinners. “The kind of pitches we have played on, there is no need to make anyone a bowler because every pitch is spinning or some are straightening,” he said. “A bowler can (only) be considered good when he takes wickets on good pitches.”

Harbhajan Singh’s previous tweet

Calling for an immediate change in approach, he said Indian red-ball cricket had been “stuck in the same place” for over a decade. “We should play on good cricket pitches – it’s high time,” Harbhajan said, adding that quality surfaces are essential if India wants its batters to develop the ability to score big at home, like they did on the England tour where Shubman Gill amassed 754 runs.

Harbhajan criticized recent returners, particularly the Eden Gardens surface which saw the first Test against South Africa end in three days, prompting him to post ‘#RIPTESTCRICKET’ on social media. “We keep talking about saving and promoting Test cricket, but that is not the way to save Test cricket,” he said. “If you want to save Test cricket, we have to start playing on good tracks, which allow your bowlers, your batters and everyone to be in the game.» The former spinner said India needs to look in the mirror and move away from surfaces that reduce Test cricket to a lottery rather than a contest of skill.