Published: Jan 30, 2024, 09:35 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 30, 2024, 09:35 AM (IST)
India was forced to make significant team changes for the second Test against England. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who injured his hamstring on the fourth day of the first Test in Hyderabad, and batter KL Rahul, who complained of right quadriceps soreness, were both ruled out of the second Test, which begins on February 2 in Visakhapatnam. As a result, the selectors named three players to the squad for the upcoming game: batsman Sarfaraz Khan, all-rounder Washington Sundar, and left-arm spinner Sourabh Kumar. Following the release of the amended roster, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh said that Vizag will play a spinning track. He dreaded a recurrence of the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
Harbhajan spoke on his YouTube channel hours after BCCI selectors announced the alterations for the second Test, claiming that the batting lineup appeared inadequate. He smirked, noting that Ravichandran Ashwin is the squad’s second top run-getter behind skipper Rohit Sharma.
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The former India off-spinner concluded that India is anticipating a turning surface in Visakhapatnam, despite having added two spinners to the team, including Kuldeep Yadav, who did not play in the first Test, as well as all-rounder Ashwin and Axar Patel.
“The team looks decent, but lacks experience. Yes, there is Rohit Sharma, but the next best run-scorer is Ashwin. In terms of batting, the line-up looks weak. And if they play on a turning track, which I feel they will because they have added Washington Sundar while having Kuldeep Yadav, Ashwin and Axar Patel,” he said.
Harbhajan therefore hoped that India, desperate to stage a comeback after a humiliating 28-run loss in Hyderabad, would not be caught off guard by dealing out a turner, as the way it had happened in the World Cup final, when the pitch plan failed, allowing Australia to win the trophy.
“I fear India don’t end up losing after making a turning pitch for England. This batting unit is young, they need time, and if they get a good track, they might even perform well,” he added.
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