Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh made a bold call, slamming the pitches laid out by India for the home Test matches. As India reels from a rare Test series loss at home to New Zealand, Harbhajan questioned the strategy of creating rank turners, suggesting the inclusion of a player who has become a household name in T20 cricket.
Harbhajan’s provocative proposal wasn’t aimed at a typical Test bowler but rather a T20 specialist from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), known for his unique skill set.
Following the surprising defeat, Harbhajan dissected India’s approach of producing pitches that turn sharply from the start, often disrupting confidence among India’s batters. He highlighted how these pitches can make batting unpredictable, where even seasoned players, like Ajinkya Rahane, have struggled to maintain consistency.
As though to put across his point, Harbhajan recommended a player rarely seen in the Test arena—a bowler with only a single first-class game under his belt, played back in 2018. This bowler, despite his limited exposure to the red-ball game, has made waves in limited-overs cricket and holds the potential, Harbhajan believes, to be a game-changer on these surfaces.
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Varun Chakravarthy: A Surprising Candidate for Test Matches?
The player in question is none other than Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner who has been a standout for KKR in the IPL and India’s T20 side. Known for his deceptive deliveries and uncanny accuracy in the shortest format, Varun isn’t typically considered a Test prospect. But the legendary off-spinner argues that on pitches prepared to turn from Day 1, Chakravarthy’s white-ball skills could be just as potent against batters caught between attacking and defending.
“Varun Chakravarthy may not be a traditional Test bowler, but look at the conditions we’re creating. You don’t need a classical red-ball spinner; you need someone with precision who can exploit sharp turn. Varun, with his unique skills, could break through the opposition,” Harbhajan remarked on PTI as told by TOI. He believes that, on turning pitches, even limited-overs specialists can succeed, pointing out that unconventional players have historically found success when the conditions suit their style. “Remember when Joe Root picked up five wickets in India? You don’t need a Test specialist on these surfaces. Varun can run through sides.”
A Critical Eye on Rank Turners
Harbhajan’s statements have reignited the debate over India’s heavy reliance on spin-friendly pitches at home. While these pitches have been a strategic advantage for India in the past, the former spinner emphasized how they might be hindering player confidence, citing Rahane’s career as an example of a talent affected by unpredictable surfaces.
“Our batters have lost confidence on these pitches. Even Virat Kohli performs better on foreign soil, where the ball comes onto the bat predictably,” he added, hinting that the turning tracks aren’t just an obstacle for visiting teams.
He went on to question whether India’s spinners were truly challenged, stating, “With pitches like these, all you need is accuracy; the surface does the rest. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel can play that role, so you don’t always need Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja’s skills. If we’re not careful, we’re diluting the quality needed for Test cricket in India.”
While it’s uncertain if Varun will be considered for the Test arena, Harbhajan’s left-field recommendation has stirred conversation. As India reevaluates its home pitch strategy, Harbhajan’s call to bring in a limited-overs star for a red-ball challenge could pave the way for more unconventional approaches in the future.
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