Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that Indian batters didn’t show enough intent to score quick runs in the middle overs during the 2023 World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday. He also shared how they struck just four boundaries from the 10th to the 40th overs of their innings as well.

While talking about the Indian batters were just looking to survive in the middle phase, Harbhajan Singh told Sports Today: “I’ve never seen or covered a game or played a game where you score only four boundaries in 40 overs from the 10th over till the 50th over. India scored only four boundaries, which is a very shocking stat. If I look back and and see what happened, obviously there was more pressure. I believe that intent wasn’t there to hit boundaries; it was more of a survival mode.”

However, Harbhajan Singh also said that there seems to be an issue with their mindset in high-pressure games by showing their dismal record in knockout matches in recent years as well.

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“Every game you play for India, there is pressure,” the former Indian spinner again shared. “But when you play knockout games like semi-final and final, the pressure is very, very big. However, we have seen that we don’t reach the top of the mountain. There has to be something to do with the mindset and how we take that game. I believe Team India had the chance. The way they were playing, I thought this was India’s turn to win the World Cup and cricket would be changed from here onwards.”

However, after being asked to bat first in the summit clash, India were bowled out for a below-par score of 240. And Australia clinched their sixth ODI World Cup title by chasing down the target with six wickets in hand as well. Harbhajan Singh also shared his views on the importance of playing an aggressive brand of cricket in crucial matches. He also said that Virat Kohli is one player who has done that consistently as well.

“When you’re looking to play the finals, you have to put your foot forward, where you have to take on the opposition, look into their eyes, and say, ‘We are here to rule’. That’s exactly the case when Virat Kohli bats. But when Rohit Sharma got out, everything looked completely different,” Harbhajan Singh concluded.