ICC World Cup 2019 | Harbhajan Singh reckons India should go with spin twins for all games
IPL
Harbhajan Singh has backed the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav to feature in all matches at the World Cup and continue their match-winning performances for the country. The duo has picked up 168 ODI wickets since Chahal made his international debut in 2016 and Kuldeep in 2017.
Chahal spun a web around South Africa with his four wickets while Kuldeep struck twice in two overs to remove two set batsmen and decisively turn the game in India’s favour against Pakistan. Together, they choked the runs out in the middle overs as Australia failed to chase down a mammoth 353. Harbhajan Singh, one of the finest spinners from India, recognized the vital role the spin twins have played thus far in India’s success in ODIs.
"It is a very good combination. The results that India have got in the last two-and-a-half years, a lot of credit should be given to these guys,” Harbhajan told AFP.
Bhajji expressed his desire to see India play the two spinners throughout the World Cup. He reckons that they will succeed in English conditions, despite the pitches favouring fast bowlers more, because other teams aren’t used to playing two spinners in the middle overs.
Although India have lost two key players to injury, Harbhajan is confident in the strength of the team’s reserves like Mohammed Shami.
"I think Shami is capable enough to win games on his own. He is one of those guys who has been a matchwinner on his own," Harbhajan said.
Harbhajan, a World Cup winner himself, picked India, Australia, England and New Zealand to qualify for the semis, but firmly believes that India is the team to beat in the knockout phase. He credited the team’s run of success to the emphasis they have put into fitness training.
"They are fit, agile, a proper fielding squad. All the credit must be given to Kohli for changing the face of Indian cricket in terms of fitness. So if you have better fitness then your results always follow the way you want them to be," Harbhajan said.
