Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that Ajinkya Rahane's Test career took a hit due to the Indian team's strategy of preparing turning tracks during home series.

Ajinkya RahaneThe veteran cricketer also argued that the conditions made it tough for batters to perform consistently, affecting players' confidence, including Ajinkya Rahane's.

"Look at the trend over the last decade. We are mostly playing on turners, hoping to win the toss, score 300, and control the game," Harbhajan said in an interview with PTI.

"But we don’t know if we have the batting to wriggle out on these surfaces. Our batters have lost a lot of confidence playing on such tracks. The biggest example is Ajinkya Rahane, a fine player. His career suffered because of these kinds of surfaces."

For the unversed, Rahane, who last played a Test for India in July 20, 2023 against the West Indies, has since been playing for Mumbai in domestic cricket. The senior pro has not received a call-up to the national side.

The 36-year-old has been a mainstay in India's middle-order over the years. However, his recent career trajectory triggered discussions on the impact of home conditions on players' form and selection.

Harbhajan's remarks point to a broader issue facing Indian cricket—the balance between maximizing home advantage and nurturing a confident batting lineup.

While the team's approach has brought success in home series, it has also exposed batters to tricky conditions that may not help them develop the skills needed to handle varied pitches, especially abroad.

"Ajinkya's a quality player, and it's unfortunate to see his career go this way. The team management needs to think about the surfaces they're creating," Harbhajan added.

Meanwhile, as Rahane continues to ply his trade in domestic cricket, only time will tell whether the selectors will bring him back into the mix perhaps with an eye on more balanced pitches that suit his style of play.