If we have to play a spinner at Gabba, I think India will look back at Washington Sundar: Harbhajan Singh

The Indian team lost the second Test at the Adelaide Oval and the series is poised at 1-1. Australia would like to keep the momentum going into the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane scheduled to commence from Saturday, December 14. Ahead of the game, the Indian team is in dire need of a win looking at the series and their World Test Championship Final prospects. 

Amongst many other issues the team needs to address ahead of the crucial game, the debate over the preferred spinning option is rife. While the team had fielded Ravichandran Ashwin in Adelaide, former India spinner, Harbhajan Singh has advised India to pick Washington Sundar over Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

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“If we have to play a spinner, I think Team India will look back at Washington Sundar. Because he played well in Perth and his bowling was also good. He has performed very well in front of New Zealand also. So, he must have felt confident too,” said Harbhajan exclusively to Star Sports.

There can be only one change: Cheteshwar Pujara 

Providing his opinion on the conundrum, India batter, Cheteshwar Pujara too seconded the thought and backed Sundar to grace the Gabba stage. It is worth noting that Jadeja has not featured in the ongoing series yet. On the other hand, Ashwin bagged only one wicket in the second Test. Pujara’s pick is also based on providing batting depth to the Indian team. 

“There can be only one change. Washington can replace Ashwin if they want to strengthen their batting. There is no comparison in bowling. Ashwin is a very good bowler. But if they want a little more strength in batting, they can play Washington,” Pujara said.