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'These Are The Two Players..'- Harbhajan Criticises India For Ignoring Veteran Duo

image-lqqvdm0nAjinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara [X.com]

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh argues that the Indian management made a huge error in sidelining batting stalwarts Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara from the test team.

Harbhajan's statement came after Team India suffered an embarrassing defeat against South Africa in the first test match of the two-match series at Centurion, losing by an innings and 32 runs. 

Team India was outclassed by the South African team in both innings. The former spinner believes that India inexplicably parted ways with Pujara and there is currently no better red-ball batter in their ranks.  

Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan said:

"Didn't select Ajinkya Rahane and have left Cheteshwar Pujara out for no reason. These are the two players who have scored runs everywhere. If you look at the previous record Pujara has the same contribution as Kohli had. I don't understand why Pujara has been left out, we still don't have a better batter than Pujara in Test cricket. He plays slowly but he saves you, because of him India won Test in Australia and England." 

Harbhajan Singh further stated that throughout the three days, India never looked in the game and despite notable performances by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, the overall team effort from the visitors was lacking. 

"In three days India for a single moment never looked in the game. They scored 245 runs after losing the toss in the first innings and it was all thanks to KL Rahul. He played a fantastic knock which propelled India's score to 245. In the second innings, India could only score 131 and if you remove Virat Kohli's contribution then it would have been more difficult. The match was decided on India's performance in the first innings." 

Meanwhile, Team India's dream of winning the Test series in South Africa remains unrealized. Both teams will face each other in the second Test, scheduled to be played from January 3 in Cape Town.