Harbhajan Singh staunchly defends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli‘s participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, rebuking critics without notable accomplishments who question the future of the celebrated Indian cricketers. The former India spinner conveyed his support for the pair’s consistent performances and leadership skills, asserting that the two players remain indispensable to India’s ODI strategies and are acting as role models for the upcoming generation. Despite their advancing years, with Rohit at 38 and Kohli at 37, Harbhajan anticipates their continued involvement until the World Cup in South Africa, applauding their recent form and impact on the squad.
Harbhajan Singh’s strong support for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
During the ILT20 event, while engaging with the media, Harbhajan brought attention to the unfortunate scenario where the destinies of Rohit and Virat are being swayed by figures who have not achieved similar milestones in cricket. He recalled his personal journey as a player to highlight the significance of valuing the achievements and present form of icons like Rohit and Kohli.
“It is beyond our comprehension. I might not be equipped to answer because I myself have been a player, and I have witnessed similar things happen to me. It has occurred with many of my colleagues, and it is disheartening. These issues are not discussed openly,” Harbhajan remarked.
While both players have stepped away from Test and T20 formats, they remain engaged in ODIs, with Kohli having recently achieved consecutive centuries in the home series against South Africa and a fit Rohit delivering consistent high scores, including an unbeaten 121. Harbhajan lauded them as reliable leaders and examples, embodying the attributes needed to be champions, underscoring that their positions in India’s cricket arrangement should not be easily doubted.
“I feel delighted to witness a player like Virat Kohli maintaining his strong performance. It is somewhat regrettable that their futures are being determined by individuals who have not accomplished as much,” Harbhajan commented.
Harbhajan shares concerns over Indian Cricket’s pitch quality and future
Beyond championing the seasoned players, Harbhajan voiced apprehension about the standard of cricket pitches in India, which he believes are excessively favorable to bowlers and disadvantage batters by limiting scoring prospects. He criticized the practice of preparing pitches that heavily assist spinners right from the start, contending that such conditions hinder the progress of both batters and bowlers, particularly attacking spinners.
Harbhajan called upon the cricket regulatory body and ground management to return to more equitable pitches that present a balanced challenge to both batting and bowling sides, echoing conditions found internationally where Indian batters encounter more chances to develop innings. He also emphasized the effect of T20 cricket on players’ endurance and underlined the necessity for extended-format readiness to uphold India’s competitiveness in international cricket.
Harbhajan concluded by acknowledging the triumph of the current ILT20 league in the UAE, lauding its contribution to extending cricket’s influence in the region and offering opportunities for players from neighboring nations to compete alongside global stars.
“They need to start competing on favorable pitches. We are limiting our batsmen’s opportunities to score runs. When we play abroad, our batsmen have better opportunities to score due to the pitch conditions. The bowlers have to exert more effort. Therefore, I believe it is crucial to address the pitch conditions that have been prevalent over the last 10-12 years, which are excessively bowler-friendly, especially favoring spin bowlers. Spinners are bowling with the new ball. I think a change is necessary. I don’t think it is beneficial. Our team is robust, and we have performed well in England. We can secure victories even in five-day matches. Why are we aiming for Test matches that conclude in just two and a half days?” Harbhajan concluded.
