Indian World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh urged the Indian team management to continue playing Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul at No.4 in the three-match ODI series against Australia. The 31-year-old made an impressive comeback to the team during the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka.
KL Rahul announced his comeback into International cricket through a brilliant century against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup which is a huge positive for the team as he can operate very well in the middle-order alongside Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan going forward for the team.
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Harbhajan Singh wants Shreyas Iyer to play at the No.3 spot in the absence of Virat Kohli in the first two games and urged the team think tank to stick with KL Rahul at the crucial No.4 spot, where he performed well for the team in the continental tournament.
“I hope Shreyas Iyer does well batting at No. 3. We cannot make him bat anywhere below that. KL Rahul has been fantastic at No. 4 and I don’t want his position to be changed. India should not demote him to No. 5 to give Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav a chance. However, KL can choose to bat at No. 3, and Shreyas can be the No. 4,” Harbhajan Singh said.
The 31-year-old has brought much-needed stability to the middle order alongside Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya in the continental event. KL Rahul made the most of the opportunity provided to him to announce his resounding comeback and would look to continue his fine form going into the three-match series against Australia on home soil.
Washington Sundar Didn’t Get Much To Do In That Game – Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh believes that India might go with young Washington Sundar for the opening game against Australia over experienced Ravichandran Ashwin, as he was called up for the final against Sri Lanka in the absence of Axar Patel.
Besides, he asserted that the contest between India and Australia would be an exciting one as both teams would walk in as one of the favourite contenders for the ODI World Cup title in India.
“India will have to choose between Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin. I feel Sundar will get the nod because he was also called to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup final. He didn’t get much to do in that game. So, I think he should be India’s No. 8 in the first ODI.”
“India vs Australia is a better series than the Asia Cup. India will be up against Australia, a team that is full of matchwinners. These two teams are the frontrunners to win the World Cup. It will be a tough contest. Yes, India will be without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (first two ODIs), but they are a decent side,” Harbhajan Singh added.
Australia started their campaign underway in Mohali on Friday, followed by the 2nd ODI on September 24 before wrapping up the series in Rajkot on Wednesday, September 27.
