With an Eye on Team India Future, Selectors Give Harbhajan Another Chance
Harbhajan Singh was recalled to the ODI side after four years for India's tour of Zimbabwe. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the team will play three ODIs and two T20Is from July 10 to July 19.
Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh staged a comeback to the ODI squad after a gap of four years as the selectors named a second-string team for next month's tour of Zimbabwe. As many as six senior players were rested. (Dhoni, Kohli Rested; Rahane to Lead India in Zimbabwe)
Karnataka batsman Robin Uthappa also made a return to the ODI side, while paceman Sandeep Sharma and leg-spinner Karn Sharma were included in the team to be captained by Ajinkya Rahane.
Opener Murali Vijay, Ambati Rayudu and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were among the senior players picked in the squad announced by BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur after the selection committee meeting in New Delhi on Monday. (Also Read: Thakur Plays Down Modi's Fixing Allegations Against Three CSK Players)
Manoj Tiwary, who had been struggling with injuries for sometime, has been recalled into the side largely benefiting from the absence of the senior players.
"The Indian team did not do well in Bangladesh. But we have to move forward and considering the domestic cricket that is to be played, we have picked this side. We have also kept in mind the 2016 World T20," chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil told reporters.
"We had picked the best possible team that played at the World Cup and keeping the future series in mind, whether it is Sri Lanka, or the home series against South Africa, the World Twenty20 or the Australia series, we have decided to rest a few players, who needed urgent rest," he said.
India had suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Bangladesh in the ODI series earlier this month.
The team includes three specialist spinners in Harbhajan, Axar Patel and Karn Sharma, while the pace department will be spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar with Mohit, Sandeep Sharma and Stuart Binny for company.
"Looking at Harbhajan's performance in the last series (vs Bangladesh), we feel that he deserves a chance on this tour," Patil said about Harbhajan, who returned to the Test side during the tour of Bangladesh.
"The selectors' job is to pick the best possible combination. The rest is up to the team management. Once we select the team, it is left to the captain to make the choices," he added.
The batting will largely rest on Rahane, Vijay, Rayudu, Tiwary, Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav.
"It is a good team and picking youngsters is the way forward," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said.
Most of the senior players like regular ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Test captain Virat Kohli, opener Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, off-spinner R Ashwin, have been rested for the series.
On Rahane being handed the captaincy, Patil said, "We are happy with the way his career is shaping up. He has been the most consistent batsman for India and we want to see his other aspects. So, we have given him this opportunity and we will keep backing him,"
India are scheduled to play three ODIs in Harare (July 10, 12 and 14) followed by a couple of Twenty20 Internationals (July 17 and 19).
Squad:
India: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Murali Vijay, Ambati Rayudu, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Karn Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma.