Harbhajan Singh fight with Australian cricketer Darren Lehmann | Team India

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh who was the part of MS Dhoni-led ODI World Cup winning squad want Rohit Sharma to make runs in the upcoming third Test match against Australia which is scheduled to start from December 14. Rohit who joined the squad after missing the Perth Test was cheaply dismissed in his first outing scoring just nine runs in two innings during the pink ball Test against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Harbhajan reckons that Rohit is worried about his performance in the longest format of the game. The Indian captain is going through a lean patch of his career in the longest format of the game. Rohit has made 597 runs in 12 Tests and 23 innings at an average of 27.13, with two centuries and two fifties and best score of 131.
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh opened up on India skipper Rohit Sharma’s recent form and said that he needs to make runs, reported Star Sports. Travis Head’s scintillating century at home, accompanied by brilliant bowling performances from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins led Australia to a 10-wicket win at the Adelaide Oval in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The victory also ensured Australia reclaimed their place atop the WTC25 standings.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh shared his thoughts on the challenges both teams are facing in the ongoing series, particularly highlighting the impact of the extended gap between the first two Tests on India’s momentum. “This series is tough because both teams have had setbacks. What happened with Australia in Perth, maybe they didn’t expect it. And what happened with India in Adelaide, maybe India didn’t expect that either,” Harbhajan said exclusively to Star Sports, emphasising the unpredictable nature of the series so far.

He further elaborated on how the lengthy break between the Tests might have disrupted India’s rhythm.

“Although there was a very long gap between the two Tests, sometimes such a gap spoils the momentum, and that’s what happened here,” he added.

Harbhajan’s insights shed light on the psychological and strategic aspects of the game, underlining the importance of maintaining momentum in a tightly contested series.

Recapping the Adelaide Test, India won the toss and opted to bat first. However, they struggled against a moving, erratic pink ball and Mitchell Starc’s masterful spell (6/48). Apart from a 69-run stand for the second wicket between KL Rahul (37 off 64 balls, with six fours) and Shubman Gill (31 off 51 balls, with five fours) and a fighting 42 off 54 balls (three fours and three sixes) from Nitish Kumar Reddy, there were few highlights for India, who were bowled out for 180 runs. Skipper Pat Cummins and Scott Boland also chipped in with two wickets each.
India were thumped by 10 wickets in the Adelaide Test. However, the much-talking point of the game came when Mohammed Siraj rattled Travis Head’s stumps after the latter scored 140 and gave him a send-off. The duo was seen exchanging words among themselves and ICC would later slap both of them with a 20 per cent match fee.

“Well, I think ICC is a bit too strict on players. These things happen in the ground. Obviously, forget what has happened and move forward. The players have patched up and talked to each other. Anyways, ICC being ICC has sanctioned the players. Let’s put that aside now and let’s move forward which is obviously, Brisbane. Let’s focus on cricket rather than all these controversies. Enough is enough,” said Harbhajan.

“I said ‘well bowled’ but he thought otherwise … when he pointed me to the sheds he got a little bit back from me,” Head told Fox Cricket after the day’s play. “I’m slightly disappointed with how that transpired, with a couple of the past innings. It is what it is. If they want to react like that and that’s how they want to represent themselves, then so be it.”