Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has admitted he has “been getting trolled on social media” ever since his side capitulated in last week’s first Test against Australia.

But the off-spinner offered no credit to Australia, or spin duo Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon, for their surprise triumph – instead placing the blame for the result squarely at the feet of the ground staff who prepared the Pune pitch.

The ball turned from day one in Pune, with conditions incredibly difficult for batting – something Australia exploited.

Harbhajan was so sure that India would win the series easily he told The New Daily that “if Australia play well, they will lose [the four-Test series] 3-0” in an interview that generated worldwide attention.

He also blasted Australia’s spin bowlers, but was made to look foolish by Steve Smith’s side after they won the opening Test by 333 runs in less than three days.

“To be honest, that wasn’t a pitch,” Harbhajan told the Indian Express.

“When you prepare such a wicket, you are making conditions favourable for the opposition as well.

“That’s what happened in Pune. When I say a good Test wicket, I mean a strip where the ball does not shoot up from the first day itself.”

Harbhajan said that O’Keefe, who took 12-70 – the best match figures by an Australian against India – did not have to do much for his wickets, adding that “anyone” could take them on that pitch.

“Test cricket should last five days,” he added.

“You cannot play on such wickets where anyone runs in to bowl and takes wickets.

“I have played in over 100 Tests and I know how hard I had to work to earn every single wicket.

“I will have to see him [O’Keefe] bowl on a good Test match wicket. Not this one. ‘Til then, I will reserve my comments.”

The 36-year-old, who last played for India in March last year, has taken 417 Test wickets in 103 matches for his country.

He implied that he would have added plenty more to the tally if he had the chance to bowl in Pune.

“You don’t need to flight the ball or anything [on that pitch],” he said.

“You just need to bowl fast and not give the batsmen room to either come down the track, or be able to manoeuvre the ball around.

“Bowling six deliveries in the same spot is all you need to get wickets on such tracks.”

Harbhajan, who also admitted his predictions “have been proved wrong”, was more magnanimous on Twitter.

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

Harbhajan is just one of many Indian cricket figures who have called for less spin-friendly pitches in the remainder of the series.

“If Australia’s spinners keep bowling so accurately, India will be scared of preparing turning pitches,” former India captain Sourav Ganguly told India Today.

“India must have been surprised with the way Australia’s spinners bowled. It’s not the first time India prepared turners.

“They believed their own spinners were more accurate than the Aussie spinners. The way the two Australian spinners bowled will make India think for the rest of the series.”