Harbhajan Singh congratulates Australia after his series prediction goes wrong

Steve Smith played a captain’s innings of 109 in the second innings

After India were thrashed by 333 runs by Australia in the opening Test at Pune, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took to his Twitter handle to congratulate the visitors, especially praising skipper Steve Smith for his stupendous century which laid the foundation for a thumping win for his side.

Take a bow @stevesmith49 that's an outstanding inn on that pitch actually no pitch..where it looks difficult to play every ball..IndvsAus

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 25, 2017

Credit to @CricketAus 4 playing unbelievable well on tht wicket.let's hope we play on good tracks frm here onwards nd get th right results

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 25, 2017

Prior to the start of the series, the 36-year-old off-spinner had predicted a 4-0 scoreline for India, adding that if Australian team played well then it would be 3-0 in India’s favour. He also added that this was the ‘weakest’ Australian side, which he had come across.

Extra Cover: Virat Kohli opens up after India's humiliating loss in the first Test against Australia

“This is the weakest Aussie side. There are no Waughs, no Gilchrist, no Hayden or Ponting and McGrath. That was the champion team who dominated the world, won three World Cups.

“This is a namesake Aussie side. Apart from Steve Smith and David Warner, I don’t even know any other cricketer. They have four spinners in the side considering they came to play in India and if they play bad, they will lose 4-0. If Australia play well, India will win 3-0. That is if Australia play well," Harbhajan had said prior to the start of the series.

There were a few fitting replies as well for his prediction:

@harbhajan_singh You just got roasted really bad @davidwarner31 That send-off you give to Bhajji
Well Played @stevesmith49

— Nisarg Mistry (@nisarg1999) February 25, 2017

@harbhajan_singh @CricketAus still remember your tweet that if aus play really well india will win 3-0. Take that now

— Mohsin Pasha (@pashamohsin1) February 25, 2017

@harbhajan_singh lost in 3 days nice prediction

— ajayradh (@ajayradh) February 25, 2017

@harbhajan_singh @CricketAus Harbhajan and Saurav right now pic.twitter.com/9PbpQQt0MC

— Sarco Da Gama (@Sarcodagama) February 25, 2017

@harbhajan_singh @CricketAus pic.twitter.com/B51rmD9C6y

— Muhammad Sohail Alam (@iamSohailAlam) February 25, 2017

Led by a superb bowling performance by Steve O’Keefe who took match figures of 12 for 70, the Australians defied every critic, who were calling for a commanding Indian performance in the series after having dominated the entire home season, that began in September.

The win was Australia's 1st on Indian soil after a gap of 13 years and ensured that it was India, who go to Bengaluru for the second Test on the backfoot and under a bit of pressure to level the series.

A couple of things will be of interest ahead of that game: How much will the pitch assist the spinners and will India make any changes to their playing XI? Will they look to bring in Karun Nair? Will Kuldeep Yadav be considered? Will KL Rahul learn from his mistakes and score big on his home ground?