Srinagar: Former India off spinner Harbhajan Singh has slammed selectors after veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was included in the squad for the Australia series.
After Axar Patel sustained an injury before the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma hinted that a white-ball return for Ravichandran Ashwin might be on the cards. A day after Rohit and Co. were crowned champions of Asia in Colombo, veteran Indian all-rounder Ashwin sealed his One Day International (ODI) return for the Australia series.
‘They have probably realized their mistake’
“First Washington Sundar, who wasn’t in the original Asia Cup squad, was called there. After that, a second player has been added for this series and that is R Ashwin. So somewhere or the other Team India are searching for off-spinners. They have probably realized their mistake that they haven’t picked an off-spinner in the team and that our bowlers can get into trouble if a lot of left-handers come in front of them. Why unnecessarily go through all this? It is beyond my understanding or they are going to make another mistake to rectify their earlier mistake,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
Senior all-rounder Ashwin last played an ODI for India in January 2022. It should be noted that no off-spinner was named in India’s 15-member squad for the World Cup. India also went without an off-spinner at the Asia Cup.
‘You will never pick three spinners’
“You will never pick three spinners in the team. You will choose two at the most. Ravindra Jadeja is definitely going to play, no matter how many left-handers are there in front of you, and the other spinner will be Kuldeep Yadav. No one can take his place as of now,” Harbhajan opined.