India's star batters have lost a lot of confidence over the years by playing on rank turners, with their home averages taking a beating and affecting their careers adversely, feels former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Harbhajan said Ajinkya Rahane is a case in point after India lost their first Test series in 12 years. On a Pune turner against New Zealand, India lost a crucial toss and managed only 156 and 245 with the Black Caps' lead spinner Mitchell Santner taking 13 wickets. "If you have had great record at home for so long and if you lose, obviously there will be chatter.
Credit to New Zealand for playing the way they did and these were alien conditions and also not a pitch where wear and tear was natural. "It was a tailor-made condition for spinners where ball was supposed to turn from first hour," Harbhajan told PTI in an interaction.
A straight shooter, Harbhajan questioned the thought process of the Indian team, which is proving to be counter-productive. "Look at the trend during last decades.