Harbhajan Singh Criticizes Pitches After India's Series Loss

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has criticized the condition of the pitch played during the India vs New Zealand Test series. In the second and third Tests of the series, New Zealand's spinners performed better than Indian spinners, while Indian batsmen struggled a lot against spin. 

Harbhajan Singh criticised the pitches in Pune and Mumbai which were turned pitches and where both sides struggled to score runs. Chasing just 146 runs in the third Test, the Indian team was all out for 121 runs, after which Harbhajan now says that India has dug its own grave. 

Speaking to ANI, Harbhajan said, "Dug a pit for others, fell himself."The tour of Australia will be more difficult, but one good thing is that the pitches will be better for cricket. The pitches here were much more conducive to spin. If the game gets over in 2.5 or 3 days, then it is not good for Test cricket. Test cricket should be played over five days where both teams can play well. If we make pitches like this, sometimes a team can benefit. Situations should not be tampered with again and again," Harbhajan added. 

In the second Test, New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner bowled brilliantly and  took 13 wickets to win his team. In the absence of Santner in the third Test, Kiwi team spinner Ajaz Patel took 11 wickets and demolished the entire Indian batting. 

In both the second and third Tests, New Zealand and India could not cross the 300-run mark in any innings, while India crossed the 250-run mark during the first innings only once in Mumbai. The Indian team got a clean sweep 3–0 at the hands of New Zealand in this series and now in November they have to play a 5-match Test series against Australia which will be played in Australia only.