In the recent T20I series against Afghanistan, Team India secured a 3-0 victory, marking the return of captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after a 14-month absence. Their comeback injected energy into the squad, prompting a significant reshuffle in the batting order.
Despite the absence of regular T20I players like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav due to injuries, India’s spin department, led by Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, delivered crucial performances. Axar Patel’s standout displays with the ball, including figures of 2/23 and 2/17 in the first two matches, highlighted his effectiveness in the format. The series concluded with a thrilling Double Super Over in Bengaluru, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
However, one notable absence from the Indian T20I lineup has been Yuzvendra Chahal, a once-prominent spinner in white-ball cricket. Harbhajan Singh, former India spinner, expressed his surprise at Chahal’s exclusion, stating, “I don’t think there is a better leg-spinner in the country than Yuzi Chahal. And I don’t think there is a braver spinner than him. He has a very sharp mind.”
Harbhajan emphasized the importance of spin in the upcoming T20 World Cup, particularly in conditions similar to those in the USA and the West Indies. He urged selectors to consider these conditions when forming the squad, stating, “Pitches will be pretty similar, like India. Spinners will play a big role. Hence, it is important to pick the right attack. You cannot look past the conditions because they will be similar to the subcontinent. You need to have at least three spinners in your squad.”
As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has sparked discussions about the batting order. Harbhajan, however, stressed the importance of experience in big tournaments like the World Cup, saying, “When you are making a team for the World Cup, you need to have experience.”
Looking ahead to India’s upcoming Test series against England, Harbhajan dismissed England’s ‘Bazball’ approach, stating that it won’t work on Indian pitches. With conditions favoring spin, he emphasized the importance of an accurate spinner in both teams.
As India’s T20 World Cup preparations intensify, the debates around team selection and strategies continue to captivate the cricketing world.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
