'You need to play more freely in big games' - Harbhajan Singh launches scathing attack on Indian top order after first innings failure in WTC Final

India are staring down the barrel in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship final 2023, as they were reeling at 151/5 at the end of Day 2, with Ajinkya Rahane and Srikar Bharat on the crease. The famed Indian top order consisting of big names such as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli failed to score big as they fell like a house of cards against the formidable seam bowling attack of Australia.

Commenting on India’s performance, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said that the team doesn’t lack anything in terms of skills. However, they need to play more freely in the big games that will help them lift a few cups.

"There is nothing lacking (in terms of skills). The more you play the big games the better you get. I feel you need to play more freely in these big games. I think we have become a bit too tight. Will have to play more freely and not think about the results,” Harbhajan Singh was quoted as saying by IndiaToday.

“The idea is to give them confidence that even if you don't do well, give your best. That way we will probably lift a few cups. Just play fearlessly,” he added.

Notably, India haven’t won an ICC trophy since their Champions Trophy 2013 triumph in England. Following that, they reached at least the semi-final of all the ICC tournaments except the 2021 T20 World Cup. However, an ICC title has eluded them due to their failure to perform on the big stage.

India look to avoid follow-on on Day 3 against Australia

Meanwhile, India have an uphill task at hand to post a challenging total in the first innings to avoid the follow-on in the ongoing final. The world’s no one-ranked side wouldn’t want to lose their second successive final as they lost the inaugural final of WTC in 2021 against New Zealand by 8 wickets.

On the other hand, Australia have a great chance to become the first team to win all the ICC trophies as they’ve already won five ODI World Cups, two Champions Trophies and one T20 World Cup.