Worst performance in my career so far, says Harbhajan

Ahmedabad, Apr 3 (UNI) Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today termed the team's performance on the first day of the second Test against South Africa as the worst performance by an Indian team he has seen in the last 10 years.

''This is definitely the worst performance by an Indian team in my international career so far,'' he told newspersons after the end of the first day's play at the Sardar Patel stadium here today.

India were bundled out for a paltry 76 and then South Africa piled on 223 runs losing four wickets to take control of the match.

Harbhajan Singh, however, has not lost hope, saying that we have to forget what has happened and would try to restrict South Africa by bowling out them by lunch time to get back into the game.

The off-spinner was honest enough not to blame the wicket too much, saying that the batsmen, including himself need to take the blame for today's dismal performance.

''We played casual shots and did not apply ourselves like we needed to do. We cannot blame the wicket, it was a green top, but we should have applied ourselves better.

''Hopefully in the second innings, we will be able to show better application and try to save the match,'' he added.

He pointed out that when India travel to other countries, the wickets are prepared to suit the home teams and India should also do the same.

''Though we have some exciting young bowlers, our strength is spin and we have won in India through spin. Therefore, we need to prepare wickets accordingly,'' he said.

Harbhajan to a query about Dale Steyn's statement that India did not have a game plan in place, said, ''if that is what he thinks then I cannot do anything. We will show him our plans in the second innings,'' he added.

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