Harbhajan Singh Hopes for Unity in Indian Team Ahead of Champions Trophy

Former cricketer emphasizes the need for coach-captain alignment after recent setbacks in Tests

New Delhi, January 12: Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has expressed hope that the alleged rift between Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir is resolved ahead of the Champions Trophy next month.

India's recent performance in the Test format has been underwhelming, with back-to-back series defeats against New Zealand at home and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Before facing New Zealand, India's path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final seemed straightforward. However, a shocking 3-0 series whitewash by New Zealand disrupted those plans. India then faced a must-win situation against Australia to keep WTC hopes alive.

Despite securing a historic victory in the first Test at Perth, India's performance dwindled in subsequent matches, culminating in a 3-1 series loss to Australia. The result marked Australia reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.

Harbhajan Addresses Team Issues

During the series in Australia, rumors of a rift between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir surfaced, raising questions about the team's cohesion.

Harbhajan, addressing the issue on his YouTube channel, stated:

"The team didn't play to its potential against Australia and New Zealand. The most important thing is that the team should be united, which has looked distorted in Australia. There are a lot of talks about the coach and possible differences with the team. I hope the matter gets sorted out. The coach and captain need to align. Hopefully, they will get together, do well, and lead the team to victory."

Upcoming Fixtures

India is yet to announce its squad for the Champions Trophy, which kicks off on February 20 against Bangladesh. Before the tournament, the Men in Blue will play a three-match ODI series against England.

• February 6: 1st ODI, VCA Stadium, Maharashtra
• February 9: 2nd ODI, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
• February 12: 3rd ODI, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

As India prepares for the Champions Trophy, fans and experts hope the team resolves internal issues and regains its form to make a strong showing on the global stage.