'India didn't win World Cup...': Harbhajan Singh's bold verdict on Virat Kohli's captaincy

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has paid a rich tribute to Virat Kohli's captaincy. He praised Kohli for instilling an unshakeable belief and fighting spirit in the Indian cricket team.

Known for his relentless hunt for victory, Kohli has an impressive record with 135 wins in 213 matches across all formats, making him the second most successful captain in Indian cricket history.

However, the Turbanator believes that it was Kohli’s outstanding Test captaincy that truly stands out, with him leading Team India to an astonishing 40 victories out of 68 matches—most by any Indian captain.

Harbhajan Singh hails Virat Kohli's unmatched leadership and winning spirit

Harbhajan Singh said that the dashing right-hander may not have secured an ICC title during his tenure, but his leadership played a pivotal role in India's unforgettable 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory, highlighting his impact on the team's mentality.

Virat Kohli’s unwavering commitment to chasing down targets, even in the most challenging situations, has redefined Indian cricket.

Harbhajan Singh said that Virat Kohli’s fearless approach was on full display during India's remarkable run chase of 328 runs in the final Test of the 2020-21 series in Brisbane, where players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant displayed extraordinary resolve to win the Gabba Test.

The former Indian captain’s legacy is not solely defined by titles, but it lies in the fiery spirit he has ignited within the national players. His philosophy of tackling targets head-on, no matter how daunting, has reshaped the team’s culture, fostering a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Virat Kohli changed Indian team's thinking: Harbhajan Singh

With Virat Kohli at the helm, the Indian team has evolved into a powerhouse, ready to embrace every challenge with great passion and aggression. The former Indian spinner said that Virat Kohli has instilled daring and courage in the Indian players during his stint, and it changed Indian cricket’s picture.

Harbhajan Singh said on Sports Yaari: “You may not have won a World Cup under Kohli's captaincy, but it doesn't make him a lesser captain or lesser player. The fire that he ignited in the team, like it may be a target of 400 in the fourth innings of a Test, we'll go for the chase; we won't panic.

If we go down, we do it while chasing. It takes a lot of guts and brains, which Kohli has instilled in the team. The determination to fight till the end, which Shubman (Gill) and Rishabh (Pant) showed to win that Test in Gabba. It was because the way the team's thinking changed.”

This is absolute Rubbish: CSK physiotherapist on Harbhajan's comments

Recently, Harbhajan was slammed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) physiotherapist Tommy Simsek over recent remarks on MS Dhoni's temperament.

Harbhajan, who was commentating during an IPL 2024 match, where the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) crushed CSK to secure a spot in the playoffs, recalled a moment when he alleged that Dhoni became angry and struck a screen while heading back to the dressing room.

Responding to his claims, Simsek categorically denied Harbhajan's claims, labeling them as "absolute rubbish." He insisted that he has never witnessed the iconic cricketer display aggression after any match, describing the former World Cup winner’s comments as "fake news."