IND vs ENG: "India Should Learn This Format From England"- Harbhajan Singh Criticizes Men In Blue's Semi-final Performance

After losing in the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal at the Adelaide Oval, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh advised the Men in Blue to learn from England. On Thursday, November 10, Harbhajan’s previous team capitulated to England without a struggle. 

Jos Buttler and Alex Hales pounded Team India’s bowling unit to chase down the score in 16 overs as England ran riot. In order to limit a star-studded batting lineup to 168, England also turned in a reasonably disciplined bowling effort. 

India Batted Like ODI In The First 10-12 Overs: Harbhajan Singh

In an interview with India Today for the Battle of Champions programme, Harbhajan Singh emphasised how England, as opposed to their opponents, performed like champions. Yuzvendra Chahal should have been India’s go-to spinner, he said, questioning his removal from the team. 

Harbhajan Singh said:  

“It is hurting more because we did not fight at all. India batted like ODI in the first 10-12 overs like they still had 40 more overs to play. India should learn this format from England.

They played like champions. It is very disappointing to see India’s approach throughout the tournament where they did not look like they would score more than 35 runs. 

“I don’t know what are the reasons that a champion bowler (Yuzvendra Chahal) is not in the team. He must have done something to someone that he is not getting a game. With his credentials, he should have been your first-choice spinner.” 

Throughout the competition, Team India’s bowling squad shown incisiveness, performing admirably against opponents like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa. But they fought back against Hales and Buttler. Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, two spinners, failed to claim a wicket in six overs, losing 57 runs. 

With The Ball, We Just Didn’t Turn Up Today: Rohit Sharma

India’s bowling performance in the semi-final, according to captain Rohit Sharma, was disappointing since they failed to maintain the square boundaries at the venue tight. ESPN Cricinfo cited what he said as follows: 

“I thought we still batted pretty well at the back end to get to that score but we weren’t good enough with the ball. It was definitely not a wicket where a team could come and chase down in 16-17 overs. But yeah, these things happen. Like I said, with the ball, we just didn’t turn up today.” 

Sharma continued:  

“We wanted to keep it tight, not give room, we looked at Adelaide pretty well, we know where the runs are scored. Square of the wicket is what we were quite aware of, and that’s where all the runs went today.  

“Keeping it tight is something we spoke of but from there if the batsman plays a good shot we’ll take it. But that is something that didn’t happen today and that is a little disappointing.” 

With their loss on Thursday, the Men in Blue have now lost four straight World Cup semifinals, dating back to 2015. 

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