IND vs SA: Harbhajan Singh Believes That Deepak Chahar Is A Better-Skilled Bowler In The Current Scenario Than Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes that Deepak Chahar should be selected over Bhuvneshwar Kumar based on his current form and skill set.

Even though it has been ten years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s debut in the final bilateral series between India and Pakistan still seems recent.

The opening batsman Nasir Jamshed’s timber was rattled by the sixth delivery of his international career, which swung away and viciously pitched before tailing in. Such a delivery has not been bowled by Bhuvneshwar in the previous two years.

Since he will likely be in charge of the Indian attack during the T20 World Cup, his work in the dying overs is being scrutinized. While some spells were effective against strong opposition, the magic or “x-factor” was conspicuously absent.

Since that wicket-taking delivery, he has played in 78 T20Is, and while his career economy rate of 7.02 appears to be more than respectable, managing the pressure during the death overs has proven to be the Meerut man’s downfall. Bhuvneshwar has participated in 23 T20I matches for India since 2021 but has only taken 15 wickets.

However, that is not the main concern. The largest contributing factor is the 159 deliveries he bowled in the dying overs (17th to 20th), which resulted in 266 runs at an economy rate of 10.03.

In those 23 innings, he has been hit for 20 fours and 12 sixes, but more importantly, he has given up 23 extras.

Deepak Chahar should be picked ahead of Bhuvneshwar: Harbhajan Singh

A member of the 2007 T20 World Cup team named Harbhajan Singh believes that Deepak Chahar should be selected over Bhuvneshwar based on his current performance and skill set.

Having both of them in the same squad, in his opinion, will make the attack appear somewhat one-dimensional.

“Deepak Chahar is the only bowler, who can get the ball to swing up-front and both ways, and looks like getting 2-3 wickets in Powerplay.”

“His inswinger is as lethal as his outswing and he can even get to move in non-conducive conditions. At this stage, where we stand today, Deepak is a better-skilled bowler in the present scenario compared to Bhuvneshwar,” Harbhajan Singh said.

“Bhuvi has loads of experience and he will pull off games but 8-10 runs in the 19th over don’t hurt but the moment it is 15 and above, the match slips away. So Deepak would be my choice,” Harbhajan Singh added.

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