NEW DELHI: Legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has urged the Indian team management to develop the ability to win matches even in the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, created history on Wednesday by successfully chasing down a daunting target of 359 to level the three-match ODI series 1-1.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India’s bowlers faced difficulties maintaining discipline in their lines and lengths, with heavy dew playing a major role during the Proteas innings.
The spin attack comprising Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja failed to trouble the batters, while pacers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna endured a tough outing.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan stressed the need for India to win even without Bumrah in the lineup.“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,” Harbhajan said.He further suggested that the selectors should consider recalling Varun Chakaravarthy to the ODI squad.“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. 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,” Harbhajan added.Earlier, after being put in to bat, India found themselves in early trouble at 62/2 with Rohit Sharma (14) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) dismissed cheaply. Virat Kohli (102 off 93 balls, seven fours and two sixes) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls, 12 fours and two sixes) then rebuilt the innings with a superb 195-run stand for the third wicket.KL Rahul (66* off 43 balls, seven fours and two sixes) and Ravindra Jadeja (24* off 27 balls, two fours) provided the finishing touches with a brisk 69-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Marco Jansen (2/63) was the most effective bowler for the visitors.South Africa began the chase aggressively but lost Quinton de Kock early. Bavuma (46 off 48, three fours and a six) and Markram steadied the innings with a 101-run partnership.Markram led from the front with his fourth ODI century — and first as an opener — scoring 110 off 98 balls with 10 fours and four sixes. A crucial 92-run partnership between Matthew Breetzke (68 off 64 balls, five fours) and Dewald Brevis (54 off 34 balls, one four and five sixes) tilted the momentum decisively in South Africa’s favour.Despite injuries to Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi offering India a slight opening, Keshav Maharaj (10*) and Corbin Bosch (25*) held their nerves to complete a famous four-wicket win with four balls remaining.Arshdeep Singh (2/54) was the standout bowler for India, while Harshit Rana’s figures (1/70) worsened after one expensive over. Prasidh Krishna’s costly spell — 82 runs off 8.2 overs — proved decisive in the outcome.The series now heads into a tantalising decider on Saturday.
