‘Where is Shami?’ Harbhajan Singh slams India management for ‘sidelining’ good bowlers after South Africa loss
South Africa equalled the record for the highest succesfull chase in an ODI against India to win the second of the three-match series and thus go into the final game with a chance to win the lot. India had notched up a score of 358/5 thanks to centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad but Aiden Markram’s ton, followed by Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis’s half-centuries, helped South Africa chase it down with eight balls to spare.
India were undone by dew in the second innings but former spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that the lack of experience in the lineup also hurt them. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested but Harbhajan stated that India had to pick either Mohammed Shami, who has been in good nick in domestic cricket this season and hasn’t played for India since March this year.
“Where is Shami? I don’t know why Shami is not playing,” said Harbhajan on his Youtube channel after the 2nd ODI. “I get it, you have Prasidh, he is a good bowler, but he still has a lot to learn. You had good bowlers, and you have slowly sidelined them. With Bumrah, this is a different bowling attack, and without Bumrah, it is entirely different attack altogether. We have to learn the art of winning games without Jasprit Bumrah.”
“In England, without Bumrah, Siraj was unbelievable, fantastic. India won all the Tests where Bumrah did not feature. But, in shorter formats, we need to find people who can win you games, whether it be fast bowling or spin. Find spinners who can come in and take wickets. There is Kuldeep, but what about the rest?” he added.
India did win the first ODI but South Africa did come within 17 runs of the target of 350 that had been set for them. Kohli’s masterful 135 off 120 balls helped India set up a total of 349/8 and while Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh’s early burst reduced South Africa to 11/3 in 4.4 overs, the visitors rallied due to strong performances from their middle order. Breetzke scored 72 in 80 balls while Marco Jansen smashed 70 in just 39 balls as South Africa were eventually all out for 332.
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