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Harbhajan Singh Slams Indian Selectors for Leaving Out Key MI Batter from WTC Final Squad

image-lgx9x61wAjinkya Rahane last played for India in 2022 [Source: Twitter]

India named their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship Final on Tuesday, which saw mixed reactions from fans and former players with the inclusion of middle-order batter Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane, who was dropped last year, made a return to the Test side due to a stellar Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

In the ongoing IPL 2023, Rahane has scored 209 runs at a strike rate of 199.04. Former Indian player Harbhajan Singh backed Rahane's return to the Test side, however, did not refrain from taking a potshot at Indian selectors for leaving out someone like Suryakumar Yadav.

Rahane comes in for the injured Shreyas Iyer, who if available was an automatic selection, while Yadav's selection into the side would have been debated hotly.

As quoted by Hindustan Times, the off-spinner stated that Yadav could have donned the role of Rishabh Pant or Adam Gilchrist coming down the order. The one-Test-old Yadav scored only eight runs against Australia in his debut match. 

Here's what Singh said

"And with Iyer absent, it serves an opportunity to Rahane and it's a big match. He is a big player as well and I hope he gives that big performance to justify the selection. I support this selection 100 per cent and I feel it is a great decision. There was actually no other solution other than this.

The one person who has missed this tour is Suryakumar Yadav. He should have been part of the team. Maybe instead of carrying three spinners, they could have carried an extra batter. Because you need that one batsman in the middle order who can destroy the opposition and only Suryakumar could have done that. When Gilchrist used to come in the middle for Australia, at No.6-7, he would destroy the bowlers. So you need a batter in the line-up who can play baseball cricket like Rishabh Pant. India will miss Suryakumar during this tour,” 

Yadav, after a lean patch in the ODIs against Australia and the beginning of the IPL, has got his mojo back and is at striking at 171.76, having scored 146 runs in seven matches already. 

The WTC Final between India and Australia will be played at The Oval between June 7 and 11.