India’s disappointing tour of England attracted a lot of criticism from all quarters. But former Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan feels the Indian cricket team will soon bounce back to the number one position.
India went to England as the number one in Tests, but meekly surrendered their top ranking after a 4-0 whitewash.
"India has a very good team and they were at their best prior to this series. It's just a matter of one bad series. Not much should be read from this and you can't write them off on the basis of this. India have a chance to bounce back against Australia which is not as strong as they used to be," Muralitharan told PTI.
"Many key players of Indian team were injured hence it was not their best team. It happens with every team but I am sure that the MS Dhoni-led Indian team will clinch the number one ranking in Test cricket very soon," said the world's highest wicket-taker.
While many attributed India's pathetic show in England to too much, Murali did not think likewise.
"I don't think there is too much Cricket. Players like (Virender) Sehwag, Yuvraj (Singh) and (Gautam) Gambhir did not go to West Indies but they were injured in England. Injuries are bound to happen and part and parcel of the game.
"As you get older, injuries come more often. Nowadays in every country cricketers play that much amount of Cricket. For me, as much as you play, you get fitter and better player," he said.
Murali, who had once said that only Harbhajan Singh can emulate him, backed the Indian off-spinner who is going through a rough patch.
"I will only tell Harbhajan that don't give up. Don't worry about the criticism and concentrate on performance. This is just one phase and everyone goes through it.
"I think Harbhajan needed a break. He will bounce back with a bang. He is young and has five-six years of international Cricket in him. I have full faith in his abilities. Just one or two bad series do not make him a bad bowler," he said.
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