ICC World Cup 2019 | India should stick to the winning combination apart from the forced change, says Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh backs Vijay Shankar to stay in the playing XI against Afghanistan as he believes that India will not disturb their winning combination on Saturday. Earlier this week, Shankar suffered an injury scare after being hit by a Jasprit Bumrah yorker during the net session.
India are flying high at the World Cup with emphatic wins over South Africa, Australia, and arch-rivals Pakistan. They are the only team, besides New Zealand, to still be unbeaten in the competition. After a six-day rest, India will play minnows Afghanistan who are yet to open their account at the World Cup. But Harbhajan firmly believes that Virat Kohli will continue to pick the same winning combination except for the one forced change due to the injury to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Â
"I will stick to the same combination. Obviously, Shami will come in for Bhuvi but apart from one, I don't see anyone else coming in and disturbing your combination," Harbhajan Singh told India Today.Â
All-rounder Vijay Shankar chipped in with two wickets against Pakistan but suffered an injury scare during the nets session on Wednesday. With Rishabh Pant replacing Shikhar Dhawan in the squad, he was a likely candidate to play in the Shankar’s place.
However, it seems that Shankar has recovered in time, and is 100% fit for the next match. That being the case, Bhajji recommends picking the all-rounder ahead of the explosive Pant.Â
"Most definitely (Vijay Shankar ahead of Rishabh Pant). He was your first-choice. He has done well in the previous game against Pakistan. You can't let someone else come and take his place just because he came into the team," the off-spinner said.
If we bat well enough, we can get more than 330. In the South Africa vs West Indies game, the wicket was a bit two-paced. But a score of 330 will be more than enough.”
