'When a player scores so many runs, he thinks he would get opportunities' - Harbhajan slams team management for contemplating dropping Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer made a shocking revelation after the first ODI against England in Nagpur on Thursday, February 8, when he said that he wasn't a part of India's initial playing XI and only came in after Virat Kohli sustained a neck injury.

Shreyas made great use of his opportunity as he scored a breezy half-century which played a crucial role in helping India chase down a 249-run target with four wickets to spare. The Mumbai batter smashed 59 off just 36 balls, belting nine fours and two sixes.

Harbhajan Singh was one of the many experts who were shocked to know that Shreyas was on the verge of being dropped from the side. The legendary off-spinner criticised the team management and reminded them about Shreyas' stunning performances during the ODI World Cup in 2023, where he finished with 530 runs from 11 matches at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 113.24.

"Shreyas is a proven performer. He scored a lot of runs in the World Cup. When a player scores so many runs, he thinks he would get opportunities. He is the best in his eye and hence, even God felt the same. He got what no one else thought and what someone else thought for Shreyas, that didn't happen. The player whom you were thinking about dropping, he played such an innings, he made it a one-sided game. The 50 runs he scored, changed the complexion of the game," Harbhajan said while speaking to Hindustan Times on the sidelines of the DP World ILT20 2025.

Rishabh Pant will have to wait for his opportunity: Harbhajan Singh

India have picked two wicketkeeping options - KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant - in the squad for the England tour as well as the Champions Trophy. The Karnataka cricketer was picked in the side for the first game. Harbhajan feels that Pant will have to wait a little longer before he gets his opportunity.

"Rishabh Pant is a very good player but the way the management is thinking right now, it seems like KL Rahul is being preferred as a wicketkeeper-batter option. So now Rishabh Pant will have to wait for his opportunity to come," Harbhajan noted.

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"Dhruv Jurel, Sanju Samson are also in the line. I just hope that the team which is selected right now, performs well. I hope KL Rahul performs well. As far as Rishabh Pant, he will eventually be there in the lineup, be it today or tomorrow," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.