IND vs PAK: "Mohammed Shami Should Play Over Mohammed Siraj" - Harbhajan Singh Calls For Huge Change In India XI

Former India National Cricket Team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has called for a massive change in the India Playing XI ahead of the blockbuster Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against Pakistan National Cricket Team.

The Rohit Sharma-led India and Babar Azam-led Pakistan will go up against each other for the second time in the Asia Cup 2023 on September 10 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The first match between the arch-rivals was washed out due to rain in Pallekele. India had played Shardul Thakur over Mohammed Shami in that game with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being the two frontline pacers.

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However, Bumrah returned home for the birth of his child and missed the game against Nepal, making the way for Mohammed Shami to walk into the playing XI.

Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh, speaking on his YouTube channel, said that Shami should be retained in the playing XI. He said that Shami should be played over Siraj and if the team management wants to play both, they will have to drop Shardul Thakur. He elaborated:

“In my opinion, Shami should play over Siraj. He is experienced, and I cannot even consider such an experienced player sitting on the bench. Now, if you want to have both Shami and Siraj, then don’t keep any batting expectations from Shardul Thakur. The batters from No.1 to No.7 will have to do the job in that case.”

Siraj is a better bowler than Thakur – Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan added that the team management needs to have a clear conversation with the batters and bowlers and they should be told to do their job perfectly. According to the spin-bowling legend, India shouldn’t be “half-hearted about Thakur’s inclusion or exclusion” in the playing XI.

“The team will have to just tell the batters to do their job and score the runs, and tell the bowlers to defend whatever total is there on the board. Shardul Thakur can bat and bowl, but we cannot be half-hearted about his inclusion or exclusion so close to the World Cup,” he elaborated.

“Siraj is a better bowler than Thakur, so his inclusion will make the bowling strong, and then the batters will just have to take on more responsibility.”