The India team, led by Rohit Sharma, is set to face off against Babar Azam’s Pakistan on September 10th at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This will be the second meeting between the arch-rivals in the Asia Cup 2023, with the first match being abandoned due to rain in Pallekele.
In the initial game against Pakistan, India opted to include Shardul Thakur in the playing XI over Mohammed Shami, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as the two primary pacers. However, with Bumrah’s return home for the birth of his child, Mohammed Shami is expected to step into the XI for the forthcoming match against Pakistan.
Harbhajan Singh, speaking on his YouTube channel, expressed his belief that Shami should retain his place in the playing XI. He suggested that Shami should replace Siraj, and if the team management wishes to field both, Shardul Thakur should make way. Harbhajan explained:
“In my opinion, Shami should play instead of Siraj. He is experienced, and I cannot fathom such an experienced player sitting on the bench. Now, if you want both Shami and Siraj in the team, then you can’t have any batting expectations from Shardul Thakur. In that case, batters from No. 1 to No. 7 will need to fulfill that role.”
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Harbhajan contended that the team management should have a clear and candid conversation with both the batsmen and bowlers, urging them to execute their respective roles efficiently. He stressed that India should not be “ambivalent about Thakur’s inclusion or omission” from the playing XI.
“The team will simply need to instruct the batsmen to perform their duty and score runs while instructing the bowlers to defend the total on the board. Shardul Thakur can contribute with both bat and ball, but we cannot be indecisive about his inclusion or exclusion, especially this close to the World Cup,” he emphasized.
“Siraj is a superior bowler compared to Thakur, and his inclusion would bolster the bowling department, allowing the batters to assume greater responsibility,” Harbhajan concluded. Only time will tell what’s going to happen this Sunday when arch-rivals India-Pakistan will face each other.
