Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh was full of praise for spin duo Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Both the players made huge difference with their wrist spin in the three games that India played in.
The veteran off spinner thinks both the players have a lot of offer for India in the upcoming matches. In fact, over the last couple of years, Team India were very strong in middle overs courtesy of their wicket taking abilities.
The 38-year old thinks the duo can make a difference even in English conditions as there are wrist spinners. Yuzvendra Chahal was the main bowler against South Africa. He took four wickets in middle overs to put India in strong position to win the match.
On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav displayed his magic against Pakistan. He took two wickets at crucial phase and turned match completely in favor of India on Sunday.
“It is a very good combination,” Harbhajan told AFP. “The results that India have got in the last two-and-a-half years, a lot of credit should be given to these guys.
“I would like to see them playing together, because none of the other teams have got two spinners and they don’t have the habit of playing spin in the middle overs.
“It has worked for India to play two spinners, even in English conditions, because they are wrist spinners. If India are thinking about their best XI then these two will feature in all the games.”
Harbhajan Singh also praised Indian team management for backing Kuldeep Yadav. In just 47 ODIs, Kuldeep Yadav took 90 wickets playing across the world. It is commendable to see Ravi Shastri come out and say Kuldeep as number one bowler in Team India.
“He has definitely got the capabilities and the talent to be there for a long period of time,” said Harbhajan Singh.
“(India coach) Ravi Shastri said he is our number one bowler. So it’s good that the team is backing him,” Harbhajan added.
Harbhajan Singh also expressed his confidence in pacer Mohammad Shami.
Mohammad Shami is going to be an important player for India in the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Shami was the key strike bowler for India in 2015 world cup. However, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are two of the very best pace bowlers in the world.
But despite being used sparsely, Shami will have a major role to play for India.
“I think Shami is capable enough to win games on his own. He is one of those guys who has been a matchwinner on his own,” said Harbhajan.
On the other hand, India are one of the best fielding teams in the world. Harbhajan Singh credits Virat Kohli for bringing in the changes to make a fit Indian team.
“They are fit, agile, a proper fielding squad. All the credit must be given to Kohli for changing the face of Indian cricket in terms of fitness,” said Harbhajan.
“So if you have better fitness then your results always follow the way you want them to be.”
Harbhajan Singh also consider India as one of the strongest teams in this world cup. The men in blue are displaying some excellent cricket over the past couple of weeks. Harbhajan believes that opposition needs to bring their best game to defeat India.
“To beat India they (other teams) will have to bring their ‘A’ game on that day. India will be a very tough side to beat,” he said with a smile.