If Australia plays well, India will win 3-0: Harbhajan Singh

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who tormented Australia during his playing days has predicted a resounding victory for Team India in the upcoming 4 match series against Australia starting from 23rd February. Harbhajan said that the best the tourists can hope for is to eke out a draw in one of the four Tests and that too if they play to their potential. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly echoed similar views a few days earlier, but Steve Waugh replied to him by saying that it will be foolish to write off a team like this.

“If Australia plays well, India will win 3-0. That is if Australia plays well. Otherwise, 4-0,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by The New Daily. Australia will head into the series without a win under their belt in subcontinental conditions since 2011 and their last victory in Indian conditions came way back in 2004. Harbhajan who is the 2nd highest wicket taker for India in Tests sees the lack of depth and experience in Australia’s batting order as their biggest worry ahead of the 4 match series.

“I don’t think the wickets are going to be that easy for them. If the ball starts spinning from the first ball, I don’t think they will survive for long. This team, apart from (David) Warner and (Steve) Smith, I don’t think will be able to play the game they play in Australian conditions here in India. That Australian team in the past had so much will and belief. I don’t think this team has the belief to win in these conditions,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Harbhajan also questioned the abilities of the Australian slow bowlers and predicted that they will find it very difficult to adjust to Indian conditions. “I don’t think they have the quality to do so. It is different bowling here and bowling there (in Australia).From the first ball, you need to bowl that correct speed. Not many spinners have done that in India for the last 15 years,” Harbhajan concluded.

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