T20 World Cup 2021: “Selection was right; execution was the main issue” – Harbhajan Singh on India’s defeat against New Zealand

Harbhajan SIngh comments on IND-NZ clash

Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh has stated that the Virat Kohli-led side took the field with the right playing XI during the game against New Zealand in Dubai. However, he reckoned that the execution part turned out to be the main issue for the ‘Men in Blue’ on Sunday.

The Indian cricket team’s poor run in the ongoing 2021 ICC T20 World Cup continues as they lost yet another one-sided match. Kane Williamson and co beat India by eight wickets to increase difficulty in the latter’s chances for qualifying for the semi-finals.

“Selection was right, I thought that it was absolutely right. You cannot judge him with just one over and at the same time cannot expect him to pick up like 4 wickets while defending 111. He did not score many runs, but neither did the other batsmen. The execution was the main issue,” Harbhajan Singh said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“Body language and the fight was missing from Indian players” – Harbhajan

The cricketer-turned-commentator went on to highlight that the Indian batters wasted almost 54 balls in the first innings. Harbhajan Singh also leapt praises for the NZ spinners for not bowling with great lines and lengths.

“There were 54 dot balls in the innings, that’s 9 full overs. Spinners bowled very well even though there was no turn. They stuck with their line and lengths and Indian batsmen could not even pick singles off them,” Bhajji added.

The 41-year-old signed off while criticizing the body language and attitude of Kohli and company in the second innings.

“Pressure kept building up and even Kohli had to play the shot he does not play most often. That was a big wicket. Had Kohli remained on the crease and picked up more singles, India could have scored around 140-150. India were left far too behind after the loss of 2 wickets. Even though the target was low, there was no intent by the Indian bowlers. Body language and the fight was missing,” he signed off.

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