IPL 2018: Harbhajan Singh Reveals the Reason Why He Was Dropped From Playing XI

Chennai Super Kings‘ (CSK) off-spinner Harbhajan Singh spilled beans on why he missed the mega final of the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Super Kings scripted history as they came back after two-year hiatus – to lift the much-coveted trophy for the third time in the Twenty20 league history.

Austalian star Shane Watson’s unbeaten hundred sealed the game in Chennai’s favour.

For Hyderabad, Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Kane Williamson gave a good start after losing the early wicket of Shreevats Goswami. The pair added 51 for the second-wicket before Dhawan departed, however, Williamson (47) continued his outstanding form.

Further, Yusuf Pathan played a blinder of an innings after he came to the crease at the 101 for three. Pathan remained unbeaten on 45 runs from just 25 deliveries including four boundaries and two sixes, as Hyderabad finished on 178 at the loss of six wickets.

However, Chennai came back brilliantly in the last two overs to keep the score within 180.

Lungi Ngidi finished his debut stint in India on a high with impressive figures of one for 26 in his four overs. In reply, Chennai got off to a very slow start seeing off the new ball. They managed to score 35 runs for the loss of one wicket at the end of the powerplay overs.

Since then it has been one person show with Watson dominating the best bowling attack of the tournament. He brought his second IPL century of this season in just 51 deliveries – to become the fourth batsmen to achieve so.

Meanwhile, Chennai scripted a spectacular comeback, as they reached the target with nine balls to spare as Watson remained unbeaten on 117 runs off 57 balls.

Harbhajan explains the reason:

Meanwhile, after the match, the veteran off-spinner justified Dhoni’s decision. He said that the team management wanted someone who can take the ball away from the batsman.

Karn Sharma replaced him in the playing XI and picked the all-important wickets of Williamson. Moreover, the leg-spinner also replaced Harbhajan last year in the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad.

“Dhoni was right that he needed someone who would take the ball away from the batsman. We have seen wrist spinners bowling more and more overs in the IPL compared to finger spinners. But I hope it would change next year. Well done to Karn and glad to be on the winning side,” Harbhajan explained during the presentation.

However, Harbhajan Singh has had a topsy-turvy season and will like to put up a strong performance in the domestic circuit to strengthen his case for an India comeback.

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