“Everything was fine till Rahul Dravid was there” - Indian spin legend’s brutal attack on India after 1-3 loss in BGT 2024-25

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh questioned the side's dramatic downfall after Rahul Dravid's exit as head coach following their 1-3 Test series defeat in Australia. Team India were on an all-time high after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies, in what was Dravid's final assignment with the side.

Former batter Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach from Dravid and the results have been dismal since. After a 3-0 T20I series win in Sri Lanka, India lost the subsequent ODI series by a 0-2 margin.

This was followed by a 2-0 home Test series win against Bangladesh and things seemed to be back on track for the Indian side. However, they hit rock bottom with a shocking 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand before the 1-3 defeat to Australia in the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Talking about India's stunning downfall after Dravid's exit, Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel [Via Hindustan Times]:

"In the past six months, we lost to Sri Lanka, a series whitewash against New Zealand and now a 3-1 defeat in Australia. Everything was fine till Rahul Dravid was there. India won the World Cup, and everything was fine. But what happened suddenly?"

Harbhajan felt India must move on from selecting on reputation and instead pick players in form.

"Every player has a reputation. If this is the thing, then add Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble or those who have been India's biggest match-winners. BCCI and selectors should take hold. India should leave behind the superstar attitude," he said.

Two of India's biggest stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggled massively in the New Zealand and Australian series, with only two half-centuries and a century between them in a combined 26 innings.

"He can become a player for India if he is given the opportunity" - Harbhajan Singh on Abhimanyu Easwaran

Australia A Men's v India A: Day 2 - Source: Getty

Harbhajan Singh felt players like Abhimanyu Easwaran should have played in the Australian tour as the Indian batters were struggling for form. Easwaran was part of the Indian squad on the back of sensational performances in domestic cricket but warmed the benches in all five Tests.

"Abhimanyu Easwaran was taken on tour, but he didn't play. He can become a player for India if he is given the opportunity. Sarfaraz is the same case. Now, the England tour lies ahead. The player who performs should go there. You should not pick players on reputation," Harbhajan Singh.

The back-to-back Test series losses led to India's elimination from the World Test Championship (WTC) final contention for the first time in three editions. Their next Test assignment will be the five-match series in England in June.