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Harbhajan Singh criticizes selectors for dropping Mohammed Shami in ODIs, urging India to find ways to win without Jasprit Bumrah.
Ajit Agarkar is under fire for his team selections. (Image: PTI)
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has joined the chorus of voices criticising the incumbent team management and selectors for ‘sidelining’ Mohammed Shami from ODIs. He said the team ‘needs to learn’ how to win without Jasprit Bumrah and that’d need keeping hold of good, experienced bowlers.
Harbhajan’s comments came after India lost the second ODI to South Africa in Raipur, where the Proteas chased down 358 with four wickets in hand to level the series, overcoming Virat Kohli’s 53rd ton in the format and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden century.
Aiden Markram’s superb 110, Dewald Brevis’ 54 off 34 and Matthew Breetzke’s 68 powered the visitors home in a dew-soaked second innings, with Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj finishing the job despite late strikes from India. Krishna struggled throughout, taking two wickets but conceding 85 runs at an economy rate of 10.20, while Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar also failed to influence the game.
“Where is Shami? I don’t know why Shami is not playing,” Harbhajan said 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.”
Harbhajan cited the example of India’s 2-2 Test series draw away in England, saying the team needs to find contributors like Mohammed Siraj — also left out of the ODI squad — in limited overs formats.
“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?” Harbhajan added.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 05, 2025, 07:38 IST
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