Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @harbhajan3
The intense competition for spots in the Indian cricket team often results in deserving players missing out, regardless of the series or tournament. This was evident when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the Champions Trophy and ODIs against England.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson was excluded despite his impressive average in the 50-over format. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed disappointment, saying he was heartbroken over Samson’s omission. Harbhajan suggested space could have been made for the Kerala cricketer, highlighting his suitability for the format and questioning why he wasn’t considered even as a second wicketkeeper.
Samson wasn’t the only omission that upset Harbhajan. He also questioned the absence of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from India’s T20I squad against England, emphasizing the need for variation in the bowling attack. “Sanju isn’t there. Yuzvendra Chahal isn’t there, too. You’ve picked four spinners, two of them left-armers. You could’ve included a leg-spinner for variation. Chahal is a superb bowler. I don’t know what wrong he did that he doesn’t fit this team,” Harbhajan remarked.
Harbhajan also commented on the selection of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for the ICC Champions Trophy, expressing skepticism about his role in the playing XI. “I thought Yashasvi would open, but now, I don’t feel that. Shubman Gill is the vice-captain, so he will play. And Yashasvi won’t bat at three or four, because Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will occupy those spots,” he said.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
