Virat Kohli hits back at Harbhajan Singh over turning-pitches jibes
Oct 12, 2016 at 8:26 AM
Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli has given an apt reply to Harbhajan Singh’s tweets regarding spin-friendly wickets after his team thrashed New Zealand by 321 runs in the third and final Test to win the three-match series by 3-0.
Harbhajan, who is currently not a part of the Indian team, has been very critical of the nature of pitches that India has been getting in recent times. He took to Twitter to criticise the Indore pitch and even before the start of the match, he said that the pitch already looked like a “2 days old pitch” and predicted that the match would not go beyond three and half days.
Already looks like 2 days old pitch before the 1st bowl is bowled..my predictions match won't go more then 3 and half days.. https://t.co/obn4qVRnP6
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 8, 2016
When a fan accused him of being partial, he shot back by saying that he and fellow spinner Anil Kumble would have picked loads of wickets had they had the opportunity to bowl on such wickets.
Only 2 in my 103 tests.. Kumble and my test wicket count would have been something else if we got wickets like last 4 years we playing on👊 https://t.co/fvkdVw1I1v
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 9, 2016
Commenting on Harbhajan’s tweets, Kohli said: “Even if it is a turning pitch, you have to bowl well. Spin is just not something to happen only off the pitch. It depends on how many revs (revolutions) you give to the ball and the use of the shoulder. When we lost to New Zealand in the World Cup, I quite clearly remember, suddenly their spinners were quality bowlers and we were found out! I don’t see anyone talking about it now.”
“The same (New Zealand) spinners had played (in this series). Why did not they pick up wickets? It’s as simple as that. Our fast bowlers (also) picked up wickets everywhere. Give a guy a cement track to bat on. He should have a mindset to do so. It’s as simple as that. That’s all I am going  to sum up,” he added.
He further said: “We believe in our skill and not believe in creating conditions or atmosphere which might suit us partially. We wanted to express ourselves. We finished two games in four days and that gives us a lot of confidence.”