The 2023 World Cup has been nothing short of spectacular for Team India, and the unbeaten streak they’ve embarked on is making cricket enthusiasts everywhere take notice.
India’s performance so far in the tournament has been nothing short of remarkable. They’ve won all five initial matches, showing dominance on the world stage. Their latest victory against New Zealand was no exception, with a scintillating performance that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
In the match against New Zealand, Virat Kohli once again showcased why he’s considered one of the finest batters in the world. His solid 95 was instrumental in securing the win with an over to spare in Dharamsala. Kohli’s consistency and ability to lead from the front remain a massive asset for India.
Every journey has its share of hurdles, and India faced an injury setback in the form of Hardik Pandya. The dynamic all-rounder was forced out of the game due to an ankle issue, leaving a void that needed filling. Suryakumar Yadav stepped in as his replacement but faced an unfortunate run-out dismissal.
As they say, every cloud has a silver lining; in this case, it was Mohammed Shami. The right-arm pacer was the second change in the XI, taking the place of Shardul Thakur. Shami’s campaign started with a bang as he claimed a five-wicket haul, becoming the standout performer of the match.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan’s suggested lineup includes the spinning trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. This strategy hinges on England’s current woes in the World Cup. If the ball starts to spin, it’s still being determined whether England can perform much better. It’s a strategic move that could pay dividends.
“Kuldeep Yadav’s form has been good, but I wonder if we will see three spinners play in the next game Kuldeep, Jadeja and Ashwin. It could be a possibility since England does not play spin well. As it is, England is not playing well in the World Cup, and if the ball starts spinning, I don’t think they will be able to do much better. Playing three spinners might not be a bad option,” Harbhajan opined on his official YouTube channel.
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As for Mohammed Siraj, who has been an integral part of the side in all five matches, Harbhajan advised that he could be rested for the upcoming clash against England. Resting Siraj makes sense, especially when you have a potent replacement in the form of Shami, who’s in terrific form.
“Siraj can be rested. He has played back-to-back games. Shami has just come into the playing XI and has claimed a five-fer. If a pitch is a normal one and is not expected to offer a lot of turn, then I do not see too many changes in the team. The team that played against New Zealand might be retained. However, India is playing England so that they might want a slow pitch,” he elaborated.
