Former Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh has launched a scathing attack on the nature of pitches being prepared in the country, labelling the trend as the 'destruction of Test cricket'. His comments come in the wake of India's shocking 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, a match that concluded in less than three days.
A Stinging Critique on Pitch Preparation
Expressing his deep concern on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan did not mince his words. "They have completely destroyed Test cricket. Rest in peace Test cricket," he stated. The veteran of 103 Tests argued that this is not a new phenomenon but a long-standing practice that has gone unchecked because the Indian team has often been winning on these surfaces. "No one talks about it because it is fine, the team is winning, someone is taking wickets, someone is becoming great by taking those wickets," he added, hinting at a culture of complacency.
Harbhajan, who famously took 13 wickets at the same Eden Gardens in India's historic 2001 victory against Australia, emphasized that such under-prepared and excessively bowler-friendly tracks prevent the genuine development of players. He used a powerful analogy, saying, "You are not moving forward in any way, you are just going around in circles like an ox tied to a mill. You are winning, but there is no real benefit. As a cricketer, you are not growing."
The Real Cost: Stunted Player Growth
The core of Harbhajan's argument is that these pitches do not allow for a fair contest between bat and ball, thereby hindering the growth of both batters and bowlers. He questioned the very skill assessment on such surfaces. "Then what difference remains between a capable bowler and a capable batsman if the conditions become so favourable that people are getting out because of the pitch and not because of skill?" he pondered.
He expressed sadness at the state of affairs, pointing out that on these pitches, batsmen look clueless and are made to appear as if they do not know how to bat. India's chase of a modest 124 runs in the first Test ended in failure, underlining his point about the batting lineup's struggles on a difficult surface.
A Call for Reflection Before the Next Test
Singh asserted that it is "high time to see and reflect on this" issue. With India set to play the second and final Test against South Africa in Guwahati starting November 22, his comments serve as a crucial intervention in the ongoing debate about the balance between home advantage and the health of the longest format of the game. His warning is clear: continuing down this path offers short-term wins but long-term damage to the fabric of Test cricket and the skills of Indian cricketers.
