Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh highlighted the big reason behind the Virat Kohli-led side's loss against New Zealand in the 28th match of ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at Dubai.
Team India suffered yet another disappointing loss in the T20 World Cup 2021 and almost shattered their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals.
The Virat Kohli-led side was at receiving end of a humiliating 8-wicket loss against New Zealand as batters failed to rise to the occasion and were put under immense pressure.
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Batting first, Indian batters never looked settled and managed only 110/7 with Ravindra Jadeja being the top scorer with 26* runs.
Chasing the target, New Zealand openers were in a hurry to finish the match. Even though Martin Guptill perished after scoring 20 runs, Daryl Mitchell smashed India bowlers all over the park for his 49-run knock.
Skipper Kane Williamson too chipped in and remained unbeaten on 33 runs, taking his team home with more than five overs remaining.
Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh highlighted the main reason behind India’s loss against New Zealand, saying that the Virat Kohli-led side faced 54 dot balls, which depicted the kind of show ‘Men in Blue’ displayed. He added that had they scored runs off those 54 dot balls, the total would’ve been different.
"You all will be surprised to know that India faced 54 dot balls against New Zealand which is equal to nine overs. It might be a record where a team has faced so many dot balls in a T20I. If a team plays these many dot balls, it would produce the kind of show India did against New Zealand. If a run was scored off all those balls, the total would have been different," Harbhajan Singh said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Singh explained how New Zealand spinners mounted pressure on the Indian batters with their immaculate lengths. He said this pressure even forced Virat Kohli to hit an uncharacteristic shot and do the opposite of "what he's known for" which led to his dismissal.
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"There was no spin in the wicket but the Kiwi spinners bowled at good length but Indian batsmen - who are known to be good players of spin, could not take singles. The pressure kept on building as a result of which a prolific batsman like Virat Kohli had to play a shot which he usually doesn't play - cross bat shot, towards midwicket, against a leg-spinner.
"I have not seen him play that shot. These things happen due to pressure which forces a player to play opposite of what he is known for," he said.
For Team India to qualify for the semi-finals now, they need to win all the remaining three matches by big margins and their chances will also depend on the result of other teams as well. The Virat Kohli-led side will next take on Afghanistan on 3rd November at Abu Dhabi.
