As India gears up for the high-stakes five-match Test series against England, starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the team’s bowling combination—excluding Washington Sundar from his preferred playing XI.
Kuldeep and Jadeja Get Harbhajan’s Backing
Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan emphasized the importance of fielding two specialist spinners, naming Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja as his top picks.
“India should look to play Kuldeep Yadav. Of course, Jadeja will bowl with him. So, two spinners with three seamers would be perfect for this game,” he said.
Despite Leeds traditionally favoring seamers, Harbhajan believes both spinners have the skill to succeed on any surface. He cited India’s bold move in 2002—when he and Anil Kumble took 11 wickets on a green Headingley pitch—as precedent for trusting spin in English conditions.
No Room for Washington Sundar
While Washington Sundar has returned to the Test squad and is seen as a promising spin-bowling all-rounder, Harbhajan left him out of his ideal XI. Sundar had previously impressed in Australia but now faces stiff competition from more established names.
Shardul Over Nitish for All-Rounder Slot
Harbhajan also backed Shardul Thakur over Nitish Kumar Reddy for the fast-bowling all-rounder role, citing Shardul’s recent form and ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
India’s Spin Dilemma Ahead of WTC Cycle
With the WTC 2025–27 cycle underway, India’s spin strategy will be under scrutiny. The inclusion of Kuldeep and Jadeja could provide the right mix of wrist-spin variety and left-arm control, especially against England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach.
