Despite Mohammed Shami‘s outstanding form in domestic cricket, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has questioned the team management for not selecting the pacer. In five Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games, Shami has claimed nine wickets, including four in a row. Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Harbhajan said that India now lacks proven match-winners with the ball, a problem that needs to be addressed immediately, and he criticised the management for consistently ignoring talented bowlers. He underlined that the team’s efficacy and balance could be harmed in pivotal situations if in-form bowlers like Shami are routinely ignored.
“Where is Shami? Why Shami isn’t playing is beyond me. I understand that even though Prasidh is a skilled bowler, he still has a lot to learn. You have gradually shelved your talented bowlers. This bowling attack is different when Bumrah is present, and it is a completely different attack when Bumrah is not present.
On his YouTube channel, Harbhajan stated, “We need to learn how to win games without Jasprit Bumrah.”
“Siraj was amazing in England without Bumrah. Bumrah did not play in any of the Test matches that India won. However, we must identify players who can win you games in shorter formats, whether it’s spin or fast bowling. Look for spinners who are capable of taking wickets. “Kuldeep is there, but what about the others?” he continued.
Additionally, Harbhajan recommended that India think about reintroducing Varun Chakravarthy into the ODI lineup. Following India’s inability to defend a score of 359 in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, he said these things. The three-match series was levelled by the visitors, and the final is set for Saturday, December 6, in Visakhapatnam.
“Bring in Varun Chakaravarthy in ODIs as well, you already have him in T20Is, so try him in ODIs also,” Harbhajan stated.
Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna all gave up more than six runs per over in the opening ODI in Ranchi. India’s defence of the score suffered greatly in the second ODI as Prasidh surrendered ten runs per over and Rana went for seven runs each over.
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