As the cricketing world anticipates the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba in Brisbane from Saturday (December 14), former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has put forward his recommendations for changes to the Indian lineup. The high-stakes encounter comes with the five-match Test series currently at 1-1, following Australia’s commanding 10-wicket victory in Adelaide.
Focus on spin and batting contributions
Harbhajan suggested that Washington Sundar might replace Ravichandran Ashwin in Brisbane due to Sundar’s better batting ability and performance in his first match, where he took two wickets, despite Ashwin’s limited opportunities to shine.
“I feel we might see one change. Washington Sundar might come back and play in Brisbane. Although Ashwin didn’t bowl much and didn’t get much opportunity to do anything special, the way Washington Sundar’s first match went, he picked up two wickets and is slightly better with the bat, I feel he will be played,” Harbhajan said on the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues’.
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Adding height and bounce to the pace attack
Harbhajan also suggested a possible change in fast bowling, with Prasidh Krishna replacing Harshit Rana due to his height and ability to generate bounce, which could be advantageous on the fast wicket.
“I feel we will see one change in fast bowling. Prasidh Krishna can probably play in place of Harshit Rana. He has the height and can get the ball to bounce. I feel he can be quite handy on that fast wicket,” the former bowler added.
Batting order stability amid Rohit Sharma’s form slump
The Turbanator also said that India should stick to the batting order used in Perth, keeping KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers since Rohit Sharma is not in great form and would be better suited to batting in the middle order.
“They will probably go with the same kind of batting order that worked for them in Perth. Rohit is also not in great form. So why would you send him up the order when he is not in form? I feel you should start with KL Rahul and Yashasvi only, and Rohit should bat in the middle order,” the right arm-off spinner said.
This statement from Harbhajan came after the disappointing performance by Rohit, who managed just 9 runs across both innings of the Adelaide Test and also India suffered a crucial defeat under his captaincy.