Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli should not depend on rank-turners, says Harbhajan Singh

Ace Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that the Indian team management should not look to prepare rank turners against New Zealand in the upcoming series. He also believes that coach Anil Kumble and captain Virat Kohli have a big opportunity to bring in a change and not prepare pitches which are heavily in favour of the spinners, a tactic which has been used by previous teams. However, this tactic has started to backfire as even the Indian batsmen have found it very difficult to adjust to such pitches.

"Over past four-five years, the previous team managements preferred pitches where Test matches would end inside three days. But I believe both Anil bhai and Virat are positive people, who would like play on good Test pitches, where the results are decided on fourth evening or by fifth day post lunch session," Harbhajan said to Press Trust of India in an interview.

The out of favour spinner also said that the team should look at the bigger picture and should not be content with winning matches in only 2-3 days.

"We should look at the bigger picture. Are we gaining anything by winning inside two and half to three days? Are we also being fair to our batsmen who struggled against South African spinners during last home series?" India's third highest wicket-taker asked some serious questions.

"Why do we call it Test cricket? Because it tests your skill from Day 1 to Day 5 at every level. It should give everyone a fair chance to succeed at that level.

"Save the last Test match at Kotla, where Ajinkya (Rahane) batted exceptionally and Virat got runs, our batsmen also suffered. I can tell you if we go for rank turners, it can boomerang on us like World T20 in Nagpur. Mitch Santner and Ish Sodhi could prove to be a handful.

"But if we can produce sporting pitch where our batsmen can score 400 runs if batting first, New Zealand can't beat us. Man to man, we are a better unit. Even if we prepare sporting tracks, we can win 3-0," Harbhajan further added.

Harbhajan also said that these pitches do no good to Indian spinners, and also the fast bowlers.

"Fine you can get wickets but there are times when the bowler doesn't even know that where the ball will land and which direction it goes. You don't know which one would turn and which one would jump. That's why I am stressing on good pitches where skill comes into play," Harbhajan observed.