WTC Final 2023: Harbhajan Singh backs Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill to help India clawback vs Australia at Oval

Add as a preferred source on Google

WTC Final 2023: Ahead of the Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023 between India and Australia, Harbhajan Singh has backed Rohit Sharma's side to claw their way back in the match through their batting.

Australia finished Day 1 of the WTC final 2023 at 327/3 as Travis Head (146* off 156) slammed a 106-ball hundred. Steve Smith also stayed unbeaten till the end of day's play and scored 95 runs off 227 balls.

The former India off-spinner has reckoned that the Oval surface will also help the Indian batters in posting a high total. He especially pointed out that Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill are in good form and should be able to make the most of the "best pitch to bat in England'.

"The Oval is perhaps the best pitch to bat on in England, and it will be better to bat on as the game goes on. I don't think India will have any difficulties batting on this wicket. Gill and Kohli are in good form, the weather has opened up, and there is not much cloud cover as well," Harbhajan said while Speaking on his YouTube channel.

Harbhajan, who is on commentary duty for the WTC final 2023, was critical of the Indian pace unit. He backed Rohit Sharma and team management's decision to bowl first and go with four pacers but expressed his disappointment on the way Mohammed Sira, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav bowled.

"Only the toss went in India's favor, after that it was all Australia. India did not have a grip on the game in any of the sessions. Considering the conditions, the team selection was right, but it did not pan out as hoped. The lines kept getting wider and the length also kept dropping," said Harbhajan.

"The Australian batters were comfortably playing on the back foot. India did not make the most of the new ball. There was a lot of carry on offer and the ball beat the edge a couple of times as well, but that does not matter unless it results in a wicket. It was not one bowler who made the mistake, all four seamers made the same mistake," Harbhajan concluded.