Indian cricket legend Harbhajan Singh, a member of the victorious 2011 World Cup squad, has shared his chosen 15-man roster for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies, scheduled for August this year. Singh’s selection is characterized by a youthful lineup captained by Hardik Pandya, featuring some surprising inclusions.
Among the notable picks are Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh, both of whom impressed with their batting performances in the recently concluded IPL 2023. Additionally, Harbhajan included Harshit Rana and Akash Madhwal in the squad, as they showcased exceptional skills while representing their respective franchises during the latter stages of the tournament. Jitesh Sharma, recognized for his powerful hitting lower down the order in IPL 2023, is another young talent who received Harbhajan’s approval.
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Singh has been critical of several senior members of the Indian team following their underwhelming performance in the recently concluded World Test Championship Final. Notably, his preferred T20I squad for the Windies series does not feature Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, or Mohammed Shami.
It is important to mention that while these players might not be included in the T20I squad, they are expected to participate in the three-match ODI series preceding the T20Is. Harbhajan’s decision to field a young team in the T20I series is aimed at providing valuable exposure and experience to budding talents, considering the T20 World Cup scheduled for the following year.
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With his vast experience and expertise in the game, Harbhajan Singh’s selection holds significant weight, and his decision to opt for a youthful side reflects his belief in nurturing and developing emerging players. The T20I series against the West Indies will serve as an important opportunity for these young cricketers to showcase their skills and stake a claim for future selection in the Indian team.
Harbhajan Singh’s preferred T20I squad for the WI series: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Akash Madhwal
