Former Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh has come hard on the Indian team management following the team’s shattering ten-wicket defeat at the hands of England in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 on Thursday (November 10). India failed to defend a target of 169 runs as England reached the final to face Pakistan in the summit clash. Defending a fighting total, Indian bowlers were disappointed as they failed to pick up even a single wicket during England’s run-chase.
Openers Jos Buttler and Alex Hales came out all guns blazing at the Indian bowling attack to post a record 170-run stand for the first wicket and take their team home. Buttler and Hales went all out from the word to go as they made the most of the Powerplay at the Adelaide Oval while denying India a breakthrough. There was no looking back after the good start as the duo took their team over the line comfortably to knock India out of the tournament.
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Reacting to India’s defeat, Harbhajan Singh questioned India’s selection and said he failed to understand why spinner Yuzvendra Chahal kept warming the bench throughout the tournament. Chahal was part of India’s squad but didn’t get a single game at the World Cup with R Ashwin getting preferred over the leggie.
During a chat with India Today, Harbhajan Singh said, “It is hurting, more because that we did not fight at all. India batted like ODI in first 10-12 overs like they still had 40 more overs to play. India should learn this format from England. They played like champions.”
He further added, ” 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.”
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Chahal was India’s first-choice spinner in T20Is ahead of the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2022 and was backed by the team management across bilateral series. He was expected to lead the spin attack in the tournament but was surprisingly kept on warming the bench for Ashwin, who offered a little extra with the bat in the lower order. The lack of a wicket-taking spinner like Chahal in the middle overs cost India dearly in the semi-final against England as the bowlers looked clueless against Buttler and Hales.
