Harbhajan Singh Pinpoints At Glaring Problem For India Ahead Of Sri Lanka Test Series

After losing to South Africa 2-1 in their own backyard, India will return home eyeing to turn the tables against Sri Lanka at home. Ahead of the series Harbhajan Singh has spoken about a glaring problem that Indian cricket is facing at the moment. Mayank Agarwal in his recent Test series against South Africa fared pretty badly.

With all the talk regarding the replacement of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, the failures of Mayank Agarwal has gone unnoticed. Batting at an average of 22.50, Mayank accumulated 135 runs in six innings. Bhajji also named two players who can replace Agarwal at the top in the Sri Lanka series. 

“Mayank Agarwal got six innings but he didn’t make use of the opportunity, which is a sign that some new player might come. Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw can be seen in the next series because six innings is more than enough for a player. Mayank is a good player whom I support but since he hasn’t scored enough so I don’t know what will be the way forward from here,” said Harbhajan in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Coming down to Rahane and Pujara, Harbhajan Singh said that the duo will have a tough time retaining their spots after their failure in South Africa. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari are waiting in the ings along with Gill and Shaw to take their place in the XI. Reports also say that Shubman Gill is expected to bat in the middle-order against Sri Lanka at home. 

Way Ahead Will Be Difficult For Rahane-Pujara: Harbhajan Singh

“Rahane and Pujara played 50-run knocks in Johannesburg but expectations from seniors are much higher than this. They haven’t scored enough runs and I personally feel the way ahead from here will be difficult for them.”

“Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, who scored a hundred in the previous series are waiting for their opportunity and I feel the way Rahane and Pujara performed they have actually opened the doors for Iyer and Suryakumar,” said the former cricketer. 

The Indian cricket team plays its next Test series against Sri Lanka at home from February 25-March 18. The first Test match starts in Bengaluru from February 25.

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