Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh said that Team India might be tempted to go with four frontline spinners in the second Test of the five-match Test series against England. He added that if it is a spin-friendly pitch, the host could consider dropping pacer Mohammed Siraj for an extra spinner as well.

Harbhajan said in his latest YouTube video: “From the squad India have picked, I am expecting it to be a turning wicket. If it is going to turn even more than what we saw in the first match, There is a possibility of India playing four spinners, with Jasprit Bumrah being the only fast bowler. I sincerely hope that the pitch will be better than what we saw in Hyderabad. India have a young batting lineup, and we should give them a chance to get some runs under their belt. It will benefit India if a good pitch is prepared.”

However, team India were bowled out for 202 on Day 4 of the first Test in Hyderabad, facing a 28-run defeat. Moreover, senior players KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja have been ruled out of the second Test due to injuries. And, Indian batters Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer received a lot of criticism for leaving a mark in the Test series opener against England.

Harbhajan Singh also believes that the two youngsters should do well in the second encounter, especially when the team will be without the in-form Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul. He also opined on the importance of captain Rohit Sharma making a significant contribution at the top of the order.

“Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have performed underwhelmingly in the last few innings. With KL Rahul ruled out, the onus is on them to score big runs. Rohit Sharma will also have to give a good start at the top for India to score around 300 runs in the first innings,” Harbhajan Singh concluded.

Harbhajan Singh’s playing XI for IND vs ENG 2nd Test:

Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, KS Bharat, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav/ Mohammed Siraj