“He has performed very well in front of New Zealand” - Harbhajan Singh suggests India’s team changes for BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh suggested India pick Washington Sundar as their specialist spinner for the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Brisbane, starting on December 14. Sundar played in the series opener in Perth, which India won by a massive 295 runs.
However, he was left out in favor of veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in India's ten-wicket defeat in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. After going wicketless in his two overs in the Perth Test, Sundar enjoyed figures of 2/48 in the second innings.
Meanwhile, Ashwin picked up only the lone wicket in 18 overs of bowling in the second Test at Adelaide. India also has Ravindra Jadeja as a third spin-bowling option.
Speaking on Star Sports about who should be India's spinner for the Brisbane Test, Harbhajan stated as quoted by TOI:
"If we have to play a spinner, I think Team India will look back at Washington Sundar. Because he played well in Perth and his bowling was also good. He performed very well in front of New Zealand also. So, he must have felt confident too."
India's hero in their 2020-21 series win in Australia, Cheteshwar Pujara, also agreed with Harbhajan's sentiments on Sundar.
"There can be only one change. Washington can replace Ashwin if they want to strengthen their batting. There is no comparison in bowling. Ashwin is a very good bowler. But if they want a little more strength in batting, they can play Washington," he said.
Sundar is coming off an outstanding home Test series against New Zealand, picking up 16 wickets at an average of 14.12. He also has a career Test batting average of over 48 in seven outings and averaged 44.50 in the two Tests against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Ashwin struggled in the New Zealand series, averaging a dismal 41.22 with the ball in three Tests.
"There is no need to change" - Piyush Chawla
Former leg-spinner Piyush Chawla differed from Harbhajan Singh and Cheteshwar Pujara's views, stating Team India should continue with Ravichandran Ashwin for the Brisbane Test.
The 38-year-old has historically struggled in Tests down under with only 40 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 42.42. Yet, he is the seventh all-time leading wicket-taker in Test history with 537 scalps.
"The way Ashwin has played in the second Test match, he kept them in check. He played very well. He conceded 50 runs in 18 overs and took one wicket. So, there is no need to change. Because after losing one Test match, if you think so much about it, it becomes difficult," said Chawla.
Sundar played in India's famous series-clinching victory at Brisbane in the 2020-21 tour, picking up four wickets in the match and scoring a crucial 62 in the first innings.