Australia vs India 2018-19: Harbhajan Singh Backs Rishabh Pant's Inclusion in ODI Squad

India’s off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in the ODI squad. Pant had scored a majestic knock of 159 runs in the first innings of the final and fourth Test match at Sydney Cricket Ground. Meanwhile, India lost the first ODI against Australia by 34 runs.

On the other hand, MS Dhoni could not hit the ground running. The former Indian skipper did well to rebuild the innings. However, Dhoni was unlucky as he was dismissed via Leg Before Wicket when the ball had pitched outside the leg-stump.

Pant can provide firepower.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant can add spark in the middle order even if he plays as a pure batsman. However, Pant was not included in the ODI squad as the selectors wanted to manage his workload. In fact, the chief selector MSK Prasad recently revealed that Rishabh Pant is in the World Cup plans of the team.

“After you lose three early wickets, the middle order’s first motive is to revive the innings. Dhoni did well in that aspect but when we thought he would accelerate he lost his wicket. Rohit Sharma was under tremendous pressure after that,” Harbhajan told Sports Tak.

“Rohit needed support from the other end and Dhoni’s presence at the crease would have made the difference.”

Meanwhile, the Turbanator believes India has the firepower in the middle order. However, MS Dhoni isn’t in the best of forms in the recent past. Thus, it is imperative for India that MS Dhoni gets back into form.

“India has potential in the middle order. We can’t say Rayudu and Dhoni don’t have potential. Dhoni has won many matches for India in the past. Yes, he has struggled in the recent past and I feel he must get back to form. The way he batted in the IPL 2018 was brilliant. He needs to get that form back and the day he does that, I don’t think we will need to worry a lot about the middle order. He needs to shift his gear and the day he does that the middle order issues will be sorted,” he said.

On the other hand, Bhajji believes Rishabh Pant has the X-factor in him. Pant has the ability to hit the ground running with his powerful shots. However, he still lacks experience and he is still a work in progress in his wicket-keeping skills.

“Rishabh Pant has that X-factor in him, which Adam Gilchrist had. He has the potential to hit six sixes…I am not talking about six sixes in an over but if he plays 30 balls he has the ability to hit at least six sixes, which can be game-changing.

“I think Rishabh Pant is a must in the Indian team because if we lose three early wickets, we need to have a power-hitter lower down the order. I think his inclusion will not only strengthen India’s batting line-up but also fix the middle-order issues,” he said.

India lost the first match and would like to keep themselves in the hunt by the winning the second game. The second ODI will take place at Adelaide on January 15.