Former Team India spinner Harbhajan Singh said that the Indian management should learn to win the matches without their lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
In the second ODI match against South Africa, Team India suffered a loss by four wickets at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur.
Following the loss, the former spinner raised the question of Mohammed Shami`s absence from India`s squad. He also highlighted that Team India previously had good bowlers, but the management had slowly sidelined them.
“Where is Shami? I don`t know why Shami is not playing. I get it, you have Prasidh, he is a good bowler, but he still has a lot to learn. You had good bowlers, and you have slowly sidelined them. With Bumrah, this is a different bowling attack, and without Bumrah, it is entirely different attack altogether. We have to learn the art of winning games without Jasprit Bumrah,” he said.
Further speaking, Harbhajan heaped praise on Mohammed Siraj by saying that he was fantastic in the England series. He also urged Team India`s think tank to bring in Varun Chakaravarthy in the ODI mix.
“In England, without Bumrah, Siraj was unbelievable, fantastic. India won all the Tests where Bumrah did not feature. But, in shorter formats, we need to find people who can win you games, whether it be fast bowling or spin,” said the 45-year-old former cricketer.
“Find spinners who can come in and take wickets. There is Kuldeep, but what about the rest? Bring in Varun Chakaravarthy in ODIs as well, you already have him in T20Is, so try him in ODIs also,” he added.
The third ODI match between Team India and South Africa is scheduled to be played at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. Ahead of the match, the focus will be on Team India`s stalwart Virat Kohli. The veteran batsman is enjoying his rich vein of form, as he has already smashed two centuries in two matches.
On the other hand, the Proteas will look to secure the ODI series win after registering a Test series win in the previous month.
(With ANI Inputs)
