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Harbhajan Singh Faces Flak For ‘Ranji’ Dig At The West Indies Team

Isn't the No.1 Test side in the world supposed to beat the No. 8 side comprehensively in home conditions?

West Indies Test cricket team is in a sorry state as we witnessed in the first Test against India at Rajkot. The inexperienced team is struggling against the No.1 Test side. Gone are the days when West Indies used to be a force to be reckon with in the longest format of the game. Currently, they are more equipped for the shorter format of the game because the domestic setup and advent of T20 cricket.

On Day 2, stumps, the visitors were heading towards follow on with six batsmen back in the hut already. Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh took a dig at the Kraigg Brathwaite-led side for not being competent enough. He doubted whether they will be able to reach Ranji Trophy quarters if they were in the current setup.

Here’s what the Turbanator tweeted:

With all due respect to West Indies Cricket but I have a question for u all…will this west Indies team qualify for Ranji quarters from the plate group? Elite se to nahin hoga #INDvsWI

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 5, 2018

Sad to see this situation of West Indies cricket.. there was a time when people fear playing against them.. hope they do get some good players and compete at international level.. https://t.co/9UK1F2FUMU

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 6, 2018

Former West Indies cricketer Tino Best too replied to Harbhajan’s insensitive comment:

Hey bro didn’t see these cocky tweets vs England …. but anyhow the young men will learn

— Tino95 (@tinobest) October 6, 2018

His tweet faced backlash as many found it a bit hypocrite:

If English ex cricketgers had made such comments about our teams the previous tours in 2011 and 2014, how would you have reacted? Disrespectful

— Abhinav Misra (@princeshwar) October 5, 2018

It’s a fact

Sir 1 mahina pehla India ka haal bhi yahi tha Eng me. Toh kisika mazak kyu banae jab saare team apne apne country me achha khelti hai.

— Mitadru Mukherjee (@ImMMukherjee) October 5, 2018

They are a young squad & this is a learing curve for them. They won a test in England with a brilliant chase in 4th innings.

Done recently well at home. Atleast your are cricketer & please stopping tweeting these shits.

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) October 5, 2018

He has not taken the retirement yet but we understand the emotion

Being a former cricketer.. this is quite shameful..

— Santosh Kisku (@Santossskk) October 5, 2018

Will you?

will u play RANJI FOR PUNJAB…instead of BASHING PLAYERS for making some MONEY??????????

— firki gendbaaz (@swingingyorkers) October 5, 2018

Constructive criticism

Prefacing insults with ‘with all due respect’ doesn’t make it better. They may or may not be elite group level, but demoralising an already exhausted team doesn’t do any good.

— Kunal Tolani (@Kunal_jt) October 5, 2018

That’s a doosra from Harbhajan’s follower

Come on Harbhajan Singh, have you already forgotten the performance of the number one team in England? Just don’t practice writing English. Have some Empathy.

— Nothing Right (@NothingRight1) October 5, 2018

Well, this guy got personal

With all due respect the only thing worse than India’s batting in England was your English commentary. Now your disrespectful tweet topples that too. Congrats.

— Nimesh Nambiar (@Whitelightheat) October 5, 2018

The upset fan

Seriously? Coming this from legend like you is quite disappointing. Appreciate the sport and team spirit of everyone pls

— Amit Taneja (@AmitTaneja2) October 5, 2018

India have not lost a single Test series at home for more than five years. They are very hard to beat in home conditions which is the main reason behind India topping the ICC Test rankings.

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But that’s the story of any team touring subcontinent or the other way around. In the recently-concluded India vs England Test series, the visitors were beaten by 4-1. Earlier in the year, India were beaten by South Africa as well. Winning a Test series away from home has been an issue for all sides of late. Harbhajan was not wrong to criticise West Indies but the ‘Ranji Trophy’ dig was totally uncalled for.

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