Virat Kohli slams Harbhajan Singh's 'turning pitches' jibe, praises R Ashwin for phenomenal performance

Harbhajan Singh had earlier said that pitches these days support spin bowling more than during his tenure.

New Delhi: Former Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh has been very critical of the nature of wickets India played on in the New Zealand Test series, claiming he and fellow spinner Anil Kumble would have picked loads of wickets had they had the opportunity to bowl on such wickets.

As India claimed a scintillating 3-0 series win over New Zealand following a 321-run win in Indore, skipper Virat Kohli was asked about Harbhajan Singh's recent tweet.

Already looks like 2 days old pitch before the 1st bowl is bowled..my predictions match won't go more then 3 and half days.. https://t.co/obn4qVRnP6

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 8, 2016

To which, Kohli pointed finger at the World T20 Cup game (at Nagpur) when the same set of New Zealand spinners had outshone the same set of Indian bowlers.

He said, "Even if it is a turning pitch you have to bowl well. Spin is just not something to happen only off the pitch. It depends on how many revs (revolutions) you give to the ball and the use of the shoulder. When we lost to New Zealand in the World Cup, I quite clearly remember, suddenly their spinners were quality bowlers and we were found out! I don't see anyone talking about it now."

"The same (New Zealand) spinners had played (in this series). Why did not they pick up wickets? It's as simple as that. Our fast bowlers (also) picked up wickets everywhere. Give a guy a cement track to bat on. He should have a mindset to do so. It's as simple as that. That's all I am going to sum up."

"We knew before the series that people will start talking about pitches. We knew pitches will not be dry as monsoon is everywhere and especially in Kolkata, which is a newly-laid wicket. We knew our abilities and we knew we should be good enough to do well on any surface and against any team," added the 27-year-old.

Virat further asserted, "We believe in our skill and not believe in creating conditions or atmosphere which might suit us partially. We wanted to express ourselves. We finished two games in four days and that gives us a lot of confidence."

(With PTI inputs)