Anil and Virat would like to play on good Test wickets: Harbhajan Singh

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that the Anil Kumble and skipper Virat Kohli would not read too much into the track and the conditions as they take center stage in the upcoming series against New Zealand. The 36-year old, who has been left out of the Test side has also gone on to observe that the previous management did indeed have a liking for home advantageous wickets.

“Over past four-five years, the previous team management’s preferred pitches where Test matches would end inside three days. But I believe both Anil bhai and Virat are positive people, who would like the play on good Test pitches, where the results are decided on the fourth evening or by fifth-day post lunch session,” Harbhajan told PTI in an interaction.

“We should look at the bigger picture. Are we gaining anything by winning inside two and a half to three days? Are we also being fair to our batsmen who struggled against South African spinners during last home series?” India’s third highest wicket-taker asked some serious questions. “Why do we call it Test cricket? Because it tests your skill from Day 1 to Day 5 at every level. It should give everyone a fair chance to succeed at that level.”

Harbhajan also added that the Indian team should be wary of the New Zealand spinners. “Save the last Test match at Kotla, where Ajinkya Rahane batted exceptionally and Virat got runs, our batsmen also suffered. I can tell you if we go for rank turners, it can boomerang on us like World T20 in Nagpur. Mitch Santner and Ish Sodhi could prove to be a handful. But if we can produce sporting pitch where our batsmen can score 400 runs if batting first, New Zealand can’t beat us. Man to man, we are a better unit. Even if we prepare sporting tracks, we can win 3-0,” the 36 years Harbhajan stated.

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“Fine you can get wickets but there are times when the bowler doesn’t even know that where the ball will land and which direction it goes. You don’t know which one would turn and which one would jump. That’s why I am stressing on good pitches where skill comes into play,” said the owner of 700 plus international wickets across the three formats.

Finally, speaking about the Ashwin factor, the 36-year old added that the former did not require his advice. “I don’t think Ashwin needs my advice. I wish him all the luck and hopefully, he continues to be outstanding like he has been in past one year.” However, Harbhajan believes that Amit Mishra shouldn’t be judged by his Duleep Trophy performance. “Look at the runs being scored in Duleep Trophy. Mishra is a good bowler and I don’t think to be slow through the air should be a problem.”

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