As India gears up for the second Test against England, Indian great Harbhajan Singh has voiced his apprehensions regarding the hosts' revised squad, pointing out a notable lack of experience. His concerns come in light of recent injuries and absences within the team, potentially impacting their performance in the upcoming match.
In a detailed analysis on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan expressed surprise at the absence of both Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul due to injuries, noting their current form and significant contributions to the team. He also mentioned the absence of Virat Kohli, a key figure in bolstering India's batting lineup. "BCCI announced the team and shockingly both Jadeja and KL Rahul are not part of it. Both in-form cricketers are injured. We don't know about their return as well. Virat Kohli isn't there as well. His presence would have bolstered the Indian batting lineup," Harbhajan stated.
The legendary spinner also commented on the form of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, acknowledging their talent but pointing out their recent struggles to score runs. "Shubman is out of form. Shreyas hasn't been among the runs. Both are class cricketers but haven't scored runs so far," he observed. According to Harbhajan, while the team possesses quality, the lack of experience, especially in the batting department, is a cause for concern.
He said, "The team looks decent but lacks experience. Yes, there is Rohit Sharma, but the next best run-scorer is Ashwin. In terms of batting, the line-up looks weak. "
Harbhajan further elaborated on the potential challenges of playing on a turning track, which he believes India might opt for given the inclusion of Washington Sundar alongside spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Ashwin, and Axar Patel. "India should be careful that they don't fall into their own trap by preparing a turning track for the visitors. This batting unit is young, they need time, and if they get a good track, they might even perform well," he cautioned.
Highlighting the opportunity for Sarfaraz Khan, who boasts an impressive first-class average, Harbhajan underscored the significance of this series for the young player. "Sarafaraz's name was doing rounds for quite some time and finally he has been given the chance. He has been scoring runs and got a well-deserved call-up. He needs to grab the opportunity with both hands. If he is not able to perform, he will have to make way for Virat Kohli when King Kohli returns," Harbhajan remarked.
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