Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that it will be a tough task for the selectors to pick the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. The Indian team is all set to play a three-match Test series there, with the first match starting on December 26 as well. The squad for the tour will be announced in the next few days.
While talking about the probable squad in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan Singh said: “The selection is going to be very interesting because if KL Rahul is fit, he will definitely be in the team. And Rohit Sharma, about whom it is being said that he will be made the vice-captain in Test cricket. If he comes, the batting becomes stronger.”
He also opined that Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill are the great backup options for Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul at the top of the order. He also added that Ajinkya Rahane’s place in the Indian team is in danger considering Shreyas Iyer’s scintillating debut.
ALSO READ: Fans react as the first Test between INDvNZ ended in a draw
Harbhajan Singh elaborated: “Along with that, Mayank Agarwal coming in form is a very good thing. Shubman Gill got good starts, made 47 in the second innings but could not make big runs. But a great prospect, so I feel he will continue in the team.”
He continued: “If we talk about the middle order, Shreyas Iyer has shown his might. So will Ajinkya Rahane be able to make his place in the team? Along with him, Suryakumar Yadav – who was in the backup plan, we will have to see if he remains in the team.”
The veteran also added that Hanuma Vihari should also make it into the Indian squad in the middle-order. He has done well in ongoing India A tour of South Africa. Harbhajan Singh also believed Shardul Thakur could make it to India’s Test squad.
READ HERE: Wasim Jaffer names batting-order for 2nd Test vs New Zealand
He stated: “India’s bowling – Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. And along with them, Thakur will make a comeback in Test cricket because you will need a seamer in South Africa who can bat as well. In the spin department, you will see R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for sure. Along with them, Axar Patel might be kept as the third spinner.”
“I feel this is the best chance for India to beat South Africa in South Africa because if I talk about their team, it is not as strong as they used to be. Even a few years ago when AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis were playing, they have never let India win there,” Harbhajan Singh concluded.
