The veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh thinks that the men in blue need to make changes to their lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 game against New Zealand. Both the teams suffered losses in their respective opening games and loss from here will make their chances of qualifying to the semis very slim, given that the loser of this clash, is almost certainly knocked out of the World Cup.

Speaking on his Youtube channel, Harbajan Singh said if it were him he would include Ishan Kishan in the XI and push KL Rahul can bat at no.4 and Rohit Sharma can open with the left-hander keeper-batter.

ALSO READ: Sourav Ganguly Resigns As Director Of ATK Mohun Bagan To Avoid Conflict

Explaining the same, Harbhajan Singh said, “According to me, it is necessary that Ishan Kishan be in the playing XI. If he opens with Rohit Sharma, India can have the start which they are currently looking for. Kishan is an explosive batsman, will put pressure on any bowler. He is in good form also. He played some good knocks for Mumbai Indians towards the end of IPL and was looking solid in the warm-up game as well.”

Ishan Kishan has recently scored three back-to-back fifties, first twice for Mumbai Indian in their last two games of the IPL and then scoring an unbeaten 70 during India’s warm-up fixture against England.

Harbajan Singh also suggested that Kishan can replace Suryakumar Yadav and that India should continue with Hardik Pandya despite the all-rounder not not being able to contribute with the ball and is in the team as a pure batter. Harbajan added that Pandya is one of the best finishers and if he finds his form, he can be a force to reckon with.

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Finally Starts Bowling For Team India In The Nets

Harbahajn Singh elaborated, “If Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma open the innings and Virat Kohli comes in at No.3, KL Rahul can bat at 4 as well. The top 4 will be very solid. Pant should continue at 5 and Pandya is such a player, that if he finds his groove, he can leave any batsman behind. Pandya should be played even as a pure batsman at No.6. If we speak about the best batsmen in the No.6 and No.7 position, Hardik Pandya’s name comes up without question.”