Ex-India cricket player Harbhajan Singh chose Yuzvendra Chahal for his India team for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The famed off-spinner thinks Chahal, having a keen mind, is the top leg-spinner. However, he feels Chahal is overlooked in the T20I team.
If you’re not aware, Chahal missed out in the recent three-match T20I series versus Afghanistan. Even after selection in India’s squad for the T20I series in South Africa, due to his strong performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Chahal was not played in the initial team lineup.
Here’s what Harbhajan Singh told Hindustan Times:
“I would keep Yuzvendra Chahal ahead (for the first slot among spinners). He is being ignored; I don’t know why. I don’t think he knows as well. But even today, I don’t think there is a better leg-spinner in the country. And I don’t think there is a braver spinner than him. He has a very sharp mind.”
Harbhajan Singh
Chahal tops India’s T20Is wicket-taking list, having 96 to his name with a cost rate of 8.19 runs per wicket. Yet, he managed to fell just nine batsmen in nine matches last year.
Harbhajan chose Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as two of three spinners for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The US and West Indies conditions, he said, will imitate those in Asia:
“The second spinner for me would be Ravindra Jadeja. You need to have an off-spinner in Washington Sundar as well. Now, what selectors think, what the management thinks, is a different thing.”
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan added:
“Pitches will be pretty similar, like India. Spinners will play a big role. I’ve been to the West Indies on many occasions, and I’ve seen there’s always something for the spinners. Hence, it is important to pick the right attack.”
“You cannot look past the conditions because they will be similar to the subcontinent. You have to make the team keeping in mind the conditions. You need to have at least three spinners in your squad.”
Harbhajan Singh
Remarkably, Jadeja was vice captain of the T20I series in South Africa, but he was left out of the lineup against Afghanistan. In as many games, the left-arm spinner claimed two wickets at an economy rate of 9.09.
In contrast, Sundar ended the third Twenty20 International match against Afghanistan with stats of 3/18.
Harbhajan Singh praises Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return to T20Is for T20 World Cup
Harbhajan Singh is supporting Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s comeback in T20Is. He highlighted how crucial their experience could be in the T20 World Cup. He said:
“I have a different perspective in this case. We need experience. When you are making a team for the World Cup, you need to have experience. Yes, your combination was affected a little. The players who played in the past year have been good, but in big tournaments like World Cups, you need to have experience in the team.”
Harbhajan Singh
In the third T20I against Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma hit a score of 100. This came after two previous, consecutive zero scores. Virat Kohli scored 29 (16). In the previous match, however, he returned with a score of zero.
The Indian team is set to compete in the next T20I. This match will take place at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The event kicks off on June 1.