India Should Play Both The Spinners, Irrespective Of The Conditions And Pitch - Harbhajan Singh

Veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh opines that the team management should opt for both premier spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton, starting Friday.

Harbhajan Singh, who took 417 wickets in 103 Tests, reckons the all-rounder stalwart duo should be a lock-in in India’s eleven, regardless of the conditions or the pitch.

While the conditions in England are generally more conducive to pacers than spinners, Harbhajan Singh believes that Ashwin and Jadeja are both adept at adapting to the conditions, and are two of their best bowlers.

“India team management should play both the spinners, irrespective of the conditions and pitch. With two experienced quality spinners in their rank, they should not worry about the wickets. No matter what conditions are, you have to back your best bowlers,” Harbhajan Singh told India Today on eSalamCricket.

“They will have to adjust their seam position. In England, the seam should be more upright. It will help them to generate more turn and bounce. Ashwin has done it beautifully in Birmingham during the last tour of England,” he added.

Jadeja’s batting performances in England is as good as anyone: Harbhajan Singh

The 40-year-old legendary spinner heaps praise on Jadeja’s combined elite skills in the three departments.

Apart from his tight bowling – 16 wickets in 5 matches in England while at an economy of 2.90 – and arguably the best fielding aspects, Harbhajan Singh points out that the left-hander also had a decent batting record in England – an average of 30.66 with a couple of fifties. Hence, he provides that batting depth as well.

“If you look at Jadeja’s batting performances in England, it’s as good as anyone. He has multiple half-centuries, and he is top class bowling operator,” he stated.

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