'Anyone can get anyone out on such pitches': Harbhajan Singh's brutal dig at Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja

Legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has taken a brutal dig at the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja after India's embarrassing Test series defeat to New Zealand. Harbhajan claimed that any bowler can get wickets on such turning surfaces and one doesn't need to be a great spinner.

New Zealand stunned India by winning the third and final Test in Mumbai by 25 runs. With this win, the Kiwis secured a 3-0 series win over their formidable opponents. This is the first time India has been clean-swept in a Test series of three or more matches.

As expected, this series was dominated by the spinners. While the spinners of both teams were in the game, New Zealand's spinners proved to be more successful than their Indian counterparts.

India's legendary duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were expected to wreak havoc. While Ashwin wasn't as consistent throughout the series, Jadeja found his groove in the final Test with 10 wickets in the match.

Also read: Revealed: How can India qualify for WTC final after humiliating Test series whitewash vs New Zealand

Harbhajan Singh's brutal dig at Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja

While replying to a social media post, Harbhajan Singh claimed that the batters from the previous generations did not play on the subcontinent tracks that offer turn as much as today.

Further, the former off-spinner added that one doesn't need to be a great spinner like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Saqlain Mushtaq to take wickets on such pitches as any bowler can do that.

"Earlier generations batsman’s never played on these kind of tracks. These tracks are prepared for 2/3 day test matches . You Don’t need Murli (Muttiah Muralitharan), (Shane) Warne or saqi (Saqlain Mushtaq) on these pitches to get the teams out. Anyone can get anyone out," Harbhajan Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier generations batsman’s never played on these kind of tracks . These tracks are prepared for 2/3 day test matches . You Don’t need Murli, Warne or saqi on these pitches to get the teams out. Anyone can get anyone out https://t.co/xJynSAfDqS

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 3, 2024

The Mumbai Test got over in just 2.5 days with the second and third days offering huge turn and bounce for the spinners. Some balls proved to be almost unplayable as the batters had no idea how to deal with such vicious turn.

Ravindra Jadeja picked up 10 wickets in the match while Ravichandran Ashwin finished with 3-63 in the second innings after going wicketless in the first innings. Another off-spinner Washington Sundar picked up 4 wickets in the first innings and 1 wicket in the second innings.

Harbhajan Singh calls India's turning pitches "enemy"

Harbhajan Singh was also critical of the turning pitches used in India. He stated that these rank-turners are becoming India's enemy and the Men in Blue need to play on better pitches in the future. The legendary spinner also congratulated New Zealand for a brilliant win.

"Turning pitches becoming ur own enemy #INDvsNZTEST Congratulations NZ you outplayed us. Been saying from many years . Team India needs to play on better pitches. These turning pitches making every batsman look very ordinary," Harbhajan Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Turning pitches becoming ur own enemy #INDvsNZTEST Congratulations NZ you outplayed us. Been saying from many years . Team India needs to play on better pitches. These turning pitches making every batsman look very ordinary .

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 3, 2024

Tough series for Indian batters

India's batters had a disappointing match and series as none of them looked comfortable at the crease for a long time. Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had one of the worst Test series in their whole career.

While promises were shown by Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill, the excessive turn in the pitches for the last two Tests proved to be too much for them.