India Favourites To Win The T20 World Cup Next Year - Harbhajan Singh

Legendary off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh feels the current Indian team is the best T20I side in the world, and also back Virat Kohli’s side to win the T20 World Cup at home next year.

Harbhajan’s comments came in consequence of India’s emphatic T20I series victory over Australia in their own backyard. The Men in Blue defeated the hosts in the first two T20I matches and have taken an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

On Friday, on the back of special performances from Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal, India won the first T20I by 11 runs. On Sunday, India chased down 195 with contributions from everyone in the batting department.

This prompts Harbhajan Singh to say that India is the favourite for the World Cup next year. He credits the IPL for giving opportunities to the youngsters to learn with the best of the international cricketers. The veteran off-spinner opines that the youngsters learn to adapt and thrive under pressure while playing for their franchises in the IPL.

” Yes most definitely, India is the favorite team for the World Cup. I feel that the kind of players we have got, they play in the IPL with stars and learn very quickly and adapt to the situation better than the others. That’s what makes them better players.

“Under high pressure, they have done really well for their respective teams in the IPL. It’s a positive sign for team India. At the moment, India is probably the strongest T20I side in world cricket, no matter where they are playing,” Harbhajan Singh said told India Today.

Hardik Pandya Is Better Than Andre Russell: Harbhajan Singh

Bhajji also heaped high praise on Hardik Pandya after the right-hander steered India home in the second T20I with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. Pandya scored 42 from 22 balls and was awarded the Man of the Match. He has been in thunderous form with the bat since the IPL and continued it in international cricket against Australia.

The 40-year-old had known the all-rounder since Pandya started playing for Mumbai Indians in 2015. He observes that Pandya’s confidence is increasing with every innings and has now become a proper finisher. The CSK off-spinner feels that Pandya is even better than Andre Russell as he can hit sixes at will.

“He always had the talent. We knew he could hit big sixes. But now he has been playing consistently, he has got the idea of staying there and finishing the game.

“Confidence is building every day. He is someone who is a proper finisher for Team India. He is as good as Russell, maybe better than, I would say. He is hitting sixes at will,” Harbhajan Singh added.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya Reacts As Ex-Players And Fans Demand For His Inclusion In Test Squad