Team India skipper Virat Kohli has attracted a lot of criticism for changing India’s playing XI in every match for the last 38 Tests but veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh says there is nothing wrong in it as long as results are coming.
Meanwhile, India played their 38th combination in as many as matches under Kohli at Trent Bridge. However, they put up a great show to beat England by 203 runs to come back in the series.
Despite noting that the change is too much, Harbhajan Singh has backed it as long as the results are coming.
“Personally I think 38 changes in 38 Tests is too much. But every captain is different, and every team’s dynamics are different. Maybe they want horses for courses, and it works for them,” Harbhajan told PTI.
“India were close to winning the series in South Africa. They have turned things here in England. If the captain believes in it, the management agrees and players accept it, then what you and I think doesn’t matter,” he added.
Virat Kohli has worked hard to score runs in England
The India skipper had practised with Raghu (member of the Indian support staff) in Mumbai ahead of the tour, taking throw-downs on wet surfaces in a bid to replicate these English conditions.
“When you do that, take throw downs from 18 yards or so with a wet, new ball, you get used to pace and movement. Then, batting at 22 yards, it doesn’t affect you. Kohli is not swayed by pace or movement, he bats out of the crease, he covers the stumps, plays close to the body and plays late, so he has worked hard at getting better in English conditions,” Harbhajan Singh said.
In conclusion, Harbhajan noted the playing late in this condition had been the key for Virat Kohli. India skipper is so far the highest run-getter in the series with 440 runs including two hundred.