Harbhajan Singh feels that even when Hardik Pandya returns to the team as a batting all-rounder, India should keep Mohammed Shami as a specialist seamer in their playing XI.
Shami delivered 5/54 in 10 overs as the Men in Blue bowled out the Black Caps for 273 at Dharamsala on Sunday, October 22. The hosts subsequently chased down the target with four wickets and two overs to spare, remaining the only side in the competition with an all-win record.
During a Star Sports talk, Harbhajan Singh was questioned about Shami’s stint after not being selected for the first four games, to which he responded:
“He is a computer. He knows where to pitch the ball. He has done this job year after year. He is an extremely hard-working and proven player. I think about how can you keep him out.”
“If you have to keep a guy for two overs and a little batting, I feel it is not the right team. The team that played today was right. When Hardik Pandya comes back, he will bat at No. 6 but Shami should be at No. 8.”
Harbhajan Singh
Shami has not been included to India’s starting XI before to the match against New Zealand. Ravichandran Ashwin started against Australia in Chennai, and Shardul Thakur started the remaining three games.
With Hardik out, the team management inserted Suryakumar Yadav at No. 6 in place of the batting all-rounder and boosted the bowling with the inclusion of the seasoned bowler.
“When you need batting at No. 8 and a little bowling, you are forced to sacrifice Mohammed Shami” – Harbhajan Singh
Mohammed Shami, according to Harbhajan Singh, should not be sacrificed for the sake of batting depth. He stated:
“When you need batting at No. 8 and a little bowling, you are forced to sacrifice Mohammed Shami. I feel he should play in every match.”
Harbhajan Singh
Former cricketer and now commentator emphasized the importance of specialized batters and bowlers performing well in their respective roles. He further explained:
“A good team is one where the batters take the responsibility of batting and the bowlers take the responsibility of bowling. It will be an odd day where you would need someone to bowl one or two overs.”
Harbhajan Singh
Even once Hardik Pandya returns, Rohit Sharma and colleagues may opt to keep Shami in the starting XI. While Shardul Thakur has appeared little out of sorts in his three games, the Baroda all-rounder’s bowling health following an ankle injury may be in doubt.