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The Indian squad has been under the scanner for their failures first in the Test matches against South Africa and later even in the One Day Internationals against the same opposition. Many from the cricket fraternity have been able to draw conclusions, make predictions and opt-in and out for players who should further get a chance to don the Indian colours.
Right from KL Rahul's captaincy, to the middle order batters woes, to which bowling options to choose, former cricketers, commentators, and people associated with Indian cricket have been sharing their opinions on what the current Indian cricket team management's next move for the West Indies tour should be. Joining the bandwagon is former cricketer Harbhajan Singh.
The former India off-spinner is of the opinion that the BCCI should look for options beyond Ravichandran Ashwin in the ODIs. Meanwhile, it may be noted that Ashwin returned to the Indian ODI team for the first time since 2017 in the recently-concluded series against South Africa. India picked him in the playing XI for the first two matches, where he scalped one wicket. Jayant Yadav then went on to replace him for the final ODI against the Proteas. Harbhajan further mentioned that the Indian squad required a new spinner.
Maybe a bowler who can turn the ball both ways can replace Ashwin: Harbhajan
Speaking to Sports Today, he mentioned, "With all due respect to R. Ashwin, I think he is a champion bowler, but in ODI cricket, I feel, it's time India start looking for an option, maybe someone who can take the ball in as well as out"
Singh might be making the work of the Indian team management easier as he mentioned the able cricketers who could hopefully replace Ashwin in the squad. He mentioned the names of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
Also Read: Harbhajan Singh tests positive for Covid-19, quarantines himself at home
"You need someone like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal bowling in tandem. You can also bring in another X-factor, someone like Varun Chakravarthy, there is no harm trying him again. You played him in those 2-3 games in the World Cup and you decided okay, he is not good enough," he added.
The duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin played with a defensive approach in the South Africa series. He feels there were times when they could have attacked the Proteas. Also, Venkatesh Iyer required another chance.
Notably, India's next assignment is against West Indies where regular captain for the white-ball format, Rohit Sharma would likely return to his leadership role.