The former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh delivered a strong message to the Indian batting lineup before their Super 4 match against Pakistan. Shardul Thakur holds a crucial role in Team India’s ODI setup and is featured in the starting lineup for India’s initial 2023 Asia Cup match against Pakistan.
Despite a limited contribution of just 3 runs and no chance to bowl due to rain in Pallekele, he remains the favoured choice of the team management in the playing XI, thanks to his versatile skillset. In the 2023 Asia Cup, Mohammed Siraj celebrated with captain Rohit Sharma after taking the wicket of Nepal’s Aasif Sheikh.
In the game against Pakistan, India chose Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj over Mohammed Shami, with Shardul as the third fast bowler. Yet, as India gears up for a Super 4 stage rematch against Pakistan, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh recommends deploying a formidable bowling trio consisting of Shami, Siraj, and Bumrah in the playing eleven.
India are likely to give a tough fight against Pakistan
Harbhajan suggests that India should focus on an aggressive pace-based strategy and stress the importance of batsmen taking the lead in scoring runs, underscoring the necessity of bolstering India’s bowling strength.
“I believe Shami should play. You can’t buy experience, and an experienced player like Shami sitting out, it doesn’t sit right with me. Shami should play before Siraj. If you really want to play Siraj, don’t expect batting from Shardul Thakur. You have batters till no.7, then have proper bowlers. Tell your batters to score runs, and even if we score 260, it’s the bowlers’ responsibility to defend the total,” said Harbhajan on his official YouTube channel.
“Many people say Shardul can bat and ball, I agree. But we can’t go into a game half-heartedly. Can Siraj do what Shardul does? If he can do better, strengthen the bowling and tell your batters to score,” further said the former spinner.
The high-intensity match against Pakistan might witness the comeback of star batsman KL Rahul to the Indian playing XI, marking his return after nearly half a year. Rahul’s last appearance for India was during the ODI series against Australia. He had faced a hamstring injury during the Indian Premier League, sidelining him for the World Test Championship final and the West Indies tour.
Rahul was also absent during the Asia Cup’s group stage but has regained full fitness ahead of the Super 4 phase, arriving in Sri Lanka earlier this week. Alongside Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah is poised to rejoin the XI after missing the match against Nepal due to the birth of his child.
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