Harbhajan Singh Criticizes India with #RIPTestCricket Tweet Highlighting the Mockery of the Game

On November 15, 2025, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh criticized the recent Test match between India and South Africa, held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He labeled the match a ‘mockery of Test cricket’ after it concluded in under two days, raising concerns about the format’s integrity.

Significant Events During the Test Match

The Test match saw South Africa bowled out for just 159 runs in their first innings. India could only manage a 30-run lead in response. By the end of Day 2, South Africa was struggling at 93 for 7, with India only leading by 63 runs.

Bowling Dominance

During the match, Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were particularly effective, with Bumrah taking 5 wickets for 27 runs. However, spinners dominated the subsequent innings, claiming 12 of the 17 wickets, highlighting the challenging conditions of the pitch.

Harbhajan Singh’s #RIPTestCricket Remarks

Following the second day’s play, Harbhajan took to social media platform X and expressed his disappointment. He stated, “Test cricket India vs South Africa, the game almost over on 2nd day isn’t finished yet. What a mockery of Test cricket #RIPTESTCRICKET.” The hashtag #RIPTestCricket has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts.

Reactions from the Cricketing Community

Other players also voiced their opinions on the pitch conditions. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch shared his thoughts, appreciating the excitement of seeing spinners dominate, while questioning the wicket’s suitability.

• Finch commented: “What are your thoughts on the type of wicket we are seeing in Kolkata? I love seeing fielders crowding the bat and the ball spinning big.”
• Ravichandran Ashwin, a recently retired Indian spinner, defended the pitch, suggesting the low scores were due to poor batting techniques. He noted that South African batsman Temba Bavuma had demonstrated solid technique under challenging conditions.

Finch responded to Ashwin, acknowledging differing perspectives: “I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but every ball is an event, and watching players try to survive is fun.”

The match’s rapid conclusion and controversial pitch conditions underline ongoing debates about the future of Test cricket, with players like Harbhajan Singh highlighting significant concerns about the game’s evolution.