Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his belief that Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh should have been included in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his belief that Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh should have been included in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup, a decision that has been met with some surprise by fans and experts. Harbhajan made these remarks during a virtual press conference organized by Star Sports, where he highlighted the importance of having a left-arm seamer like Arshdeep in the squad.
Harbhajan stated, "I think there are two people missing in this team. First, Yuzvendra Chahal, and second, Arshdeep Singh. Because a left-arm seamer, if he can bring the new ball inside, it makes it useful in the game." He went on to emphasize the impact that left-arm seamers like Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Shah Afridi have had in international cricket.
Regarding Chahal, Harbhajan was unequivocal in his support, calling him a proven match-winner and suggesting that he should have been a permanent fixture in the playing XI. He said, "Chahal is a proven match-winner, someone who has taken more wickets than any other spinner, and if he was playing for any other country, I think he would have been in the playing XI all the time”.
Harbhajan expressed astonishment at the absence of right-arm spinners in the squad, pointing out that India had chosen two left-arm spinners who might not both play in the same match. He argued that Chahal and Arshdeep should have been part of the team to provide a balanced bowling attack.
Switching his focus to batting, Harbhajan highlighted Suryakumar Yadav as the X-factor in the Indian team for the World Cup, describing him as the most impactful middle-order batsman in India. He praised Suryakumar's ability to find gaps in the field and change the game quickly, despite his recent lean patch in the ODI format.
Harbhajan concluded by emphasizing the importance of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli providing a strong start for the team in the tournament.
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 "Harbhajan Singh critiques India's ODI World Cup squad selection, advocates for Chahal and Arshdeep inclusion")
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