Harbhajan Singh makes his place in Test squad

Veteran off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh, has been recalled in the Indian cricket team for the lone Test against Bangladesh. It has been more than two years that he played for his country. He was last seen representing India in March 2013 against Australia in a home series.

The 34-year-old, who is the third highest Test wicket-taker for India with 413 scalps from 101 matches, has been taken considering the strength of host nation’s batting line up and especially the number of left-hand batsmen they have.

It is thought that he will play a very important role in this match and can successfully fill up the position of Ravindra Jadeja who is dropped from the Test team. However, he retains his place in ODI squad.

The notable exclusion of this squad is Mohammed Shami who could not make his place due to injury. He was replaced by Dhawal Kulkarni in the ODI squad.

The series between Bangladesh and India is expected to be a competitive one. That is why, the BCCI has picked up a full-strength teams for the tour without granting rest to the top players.

India’s tour of Bangladesh consisting of one Test and three ODIs will kick off on June 10. 

Harbhajan Singh is considered as one of the valuable players in IPL 7

It has been a long time that Harbhajan Singh has not played a single match for the Indian cricket team. Despite of his irregularity in the national squad, he is considered as one of the most valuable players in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

His former club, Mumbai Indians, has already made sure that they are going to retain him as one of their top players in IPL 7. However, another IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab is also very much eager to buy him at the auction if MI releases him.

According to sources, even if the Chandigarh-based franchise can manage to buy Harbhajan at the auction, they have plans to make him skipper of the club.

The 33-year-old player is currently leading Punjab in the ongoing Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. Showing his all-rounder skills, he has proved his value. It is sure that he will be very much effective with his experience and ability. 

Harbhajan Singh has been dropped from the 1st Test against West Indies

Cricket fans may have come to know that the Indian selectors have already announced a 15-man squad without naming off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh.

Harbhajan Singh failed to make his place in the Indian squad that was announced for the first Test against West Indian beginning on November 6 in New Delhi.

However, Harbhajan was also not picked in the ODI squad against England in home. Instead of him, selectors have picked three spinners- Pragyan Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rahul Sharma. Among them, only Pragyan Ojha has the experience to play in the Test format of cricket game. So, there will be a tough contest between Ravichandran Ashwin and Rahul Sharma to make Test debut.

Harbhajan Singh, who had taken 400 Test wickets earlier this year, has been going through a tough time. He has been passing formless career for the last few seasons. He was dropped because of his bad performance. It was his first drop from India’s Test squad since 2007.

His performance in England was not satisfactory. He took two wickets in the first two Tests. However, he had to return back to India midway through with a strain in his abdomen and was replaced by Amit Mishra for the last two Tests in England. He is now two matches short of 100 Tests.

It is expected that Harbhajan Singh will be picked for the last two Tests. His experience will help team India to keep dominance over West Indies.

Harbhajan Singh has been left out of the first two ODIs against England

Offspinner, Harbhajan Singh, has failed to make his place in the Indian squad for the first two ODIs against England that will be played on October 14 in Hyderabad and on 17 in Delhi.

He has been dropped for the first time in years. The reason of his being dropped was the poor performance during the Test series in England.

Bowling 69.4 overs, he got two wickets at an average of 143.50 and economy-rate of 4.11.

However, he sustained a stomach injury during the second Test and was left out of the remaining Test and ODI matches. India lost the Test series 0-4 and the ODI series 0-3 in England.

The spin role will be played by Ravichandran Ashwin and Rahul Sharma who have been selected in the squad. Indian selectors either may use one or both of them against England.

Rahul Sharma caught the attention of selectors with his performance in the IPL. Playing for Pune Warriors, he got 16 wickets in 14 matches at an economy-rate of 5.46. Now, he is ready to make his international debut.

Ravichandran Ashwin has already made his ODI and T20 international debut for team India. He has so far played 16 one-day international matches and 5 T20s and respectively picked 25 and 4 wickets.