Legendary former spinner Harbhajan Singh made a blunt remark following India’s heavy 408-run defeat to South Africa in the second Test in Guwahati, which concluded on Wednesday, November 26. With this win, the Proteas completed a 2-0 clean sweep over India, having won the first match at Eden Gardens by 30 runs. Ad After India endured a disappointing result, Harbhajan, speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, stressed the need for better wickets. He also noted that the greats of Indian cricket excelled because they knew how to play five-day matches, adding that a T20 player cannot succeed in Test cricket. He said: “The older greats of Indian cricket are great because they knew how to play five-day matches. Anyone can play T20. A T20 player cannot play Test cricket. So, mind you, whether people like it or not, the fact is that South Africa won this second match by 408 runs and won the Test series 2-0. No problem, losing Test series happens, winning also happens. But let us start playing on good Test wickets, where you need to work hard.” Ad Trending He further noted that the red-ball series against England earlier this year, where all five games went down to the final day, was a delight to watch, and that the team performed well on good wickets. He said: “When we won that match in England on Day 5, it was so enjoyable. Siraj and the other fast bowlers bowled in such a way to win the match, that is fun, watching such matches. You need to work hard, and if you ask Siraj or Gill or anyone about that win, they will say it helped their career because they won after hard work. On good wickets, our batters scored runs and our bowlers took wickets.” Ad Under Shubman Gill, India drew the five-match series 2-2, clinching a historic six-run win in the final game at The Oval. “Test cricket on complete dustbowls” Harbhajan Singh outlines stark contrast in pitches used for domestic and international red-ball matches In the same video, Harbhajan Singh pointed out that some Indian bowlers often excelled in home conditions but sat out on away tours. He emphasized that the team needs to play on better pitches and highlighted the stark contrast between grassy pitches in domestic games and the complete dustbowls seen in international matches. He said: Ad “But earlier, what did we see? Here in India, our bowlers used to take too many wickets. The same greats would sit outside on tours abroad. Tell me, which great bowler who has taken 300 or 400 wickets sits outside on tours? I have never seen that before. And it kept happening again and again on every tour. But as soon as matches happen in India, everyone is ready, yes, I am ready, I will definitely play. It does not work like that, brother.” Ad “If we want a proper path forward, I feel India needs to play on good wickets, and for the next generation to develop good habits, it is very important that we play on good wickets. You play Ranji Trophy on 9 mm grass, and then Test cricket on complete dustbowls where the ball turns from the first delivery. What is this?” he added. South Africa’s whitewash of India marked only their second red-ball series win in India, and their first in more than two decades, since 2000. × Feedback Why did you not like this content? Clickbait / Misleading Factually Incorrect Hateful or Abusive Baseless Opinion Too Many Ads Other Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news Edited by Dev Sharma.
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“A T20 player cannot play Test cricket” – India legend’s blunt take on Proteas’ clean sweep in IND vs SA 2025 Tests
