India’s disappointing batting performance during the recent Australia tour has sparked criticism, with former cricketer Harbhajan Singh blaming a growing “superstar culture” within the team for its decline. Senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant struggled to deliver consistent performances, drawing the ire of fans and experts alike.
Rohit Sharma managed just 31 runs across three Tests, while Kohli, despite starting with a century, scored only 190 runs in nine innings. Harbhajan took to his YouTube channel to voice his concerns, stating, “We don’t need superstars; we need performers. If someone wants to be a superstar, they should play cricket at home.”
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Harbhajan Singh criticized the continued reliance on players based on reputation rather than performance. He emphasized the need for merit-based selection ahead of India’s upcoming England tour. “Only players who are performing should go. You can’t keep picking players on their reputation,” he asserted, adding sarcastically, “If reputation is the criterion, why not take Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble as well?”
The former spinner urged the BCCI and selectors to adopt a stricter stance. According to him, players like Kohli and Rohit must prove their worth through performances, as no one is bigger than the game itself.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Virat, Rohit, or anyone else—performance should dictate their place in the squad. Tough questions need to be asked to take Indian cricket forward,” he remarked.
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India’s poor show in Australia marked the end of their hopes in the current ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Despite a strong start, including a 2-0 sweep against Bangladesh at home, their WTC campaign faltered with a 3-0 loss to New Zealand and a crushing 1-3 defeat in Australia. For the first time, India failed to qualify for the WTC final, leaving fans and experts deeply disappointed.
Harbhajan’s remarks underline the urgent need for introspection and reform within the team. Moving forward, India must prioritize performance and accountability if they are to reclaim their standing as one of cricket’s dominant forces.
