Ace spinner Harbhajan Singh on Friday said India's top-order batsmen failed to play to their potential in the Champions Trophy and losing early wickets only compounded their problems.
Harbhajan said the failure to get off to a good start took a heavy toll on the other batsmen who also failed to play to potential.
"Our batting order was not in form as there was not much of a partnership for the first wicket due to which the other batsmen also could not perform to their potential," Harbhajan told PTI in an interview.
Stressing that there was lot of room for improvement in batting, the 'Turbanator' said the team needed to ensure big partnerships at the top of the order.
"After Sehwag got out early in most matches, our batting was never consistent and for getting a high score, we must have a solid foundation," Harbhajan said, adding as long as the Delhi batsman remained at the crease, a total in the range of 280 to 300 could be expected.
Even though the batsmen did not pull their weight in the side, the off-spinner said the bowlers made it tough for the opposition to score, referring to the game against the West Indies at Ahmedabad.
Even in the defeat against Australia, which sealed India's fate in the tournament, the team fell short by 30 runs, he said, claiming, the additional runs could have allowed the bowlers to change the course of the match in India's favour.
{{/usCountry}}Even in the defeat against Australia, which sealed India's fate in the tournament, the team fell short by 30 runs, he said, claiming, the additional runs could have allowed the bowlers to change the course of the match in India's favour.
{{/usCountry}}But Harbhajan said the whole team should take the blame.
"The reason for the debacle was that we did not play well and opponents had an edge over us," he said.