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[Watch] Harbhajan Singh Prefers R Ashwin Over Kuldeep Yadav For World Cup 2023

image-lnainvxdRavichandran Ashwin at the airport (x.com)

Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has extended his support for Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in the Indian team for the 2023 World Cup. The legendary off-spinner believes the team management should consider Ashwin in the playing XI over in-form Kuldeep Yadav.

Singh is of the opinion that Ashwin’s additional skill with the bat makes him an obvious choice in the team, even though spin ace Kuldeep has been in scintillating touch with the ball, especially since India’s Asia Cup 2023 triumph in Sri Lanka last month.

Harbhajan Singh vouches for Ashwin in World Cup 2023

Ravichandran Ashwin was initially excluded from India’s 15-player squad for the 2023 World Cup. The legendary all-rounder was only considered for the line-up after Axar Patel failed to recover from the wrist injury he sustained at the 2023 Asia Cup.

Ashwin, who just recently made a comeback into India’s ODI set-up after a gap of nearly two years, will likely be sidelined from the team’s playing XI to make way for Kuldeep Yadav. However, former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes the team management should consider Ashwin upfront and should only opt for Kuldeep if the veteran all-rounder fails to deliver.

Speaking at an event organized by ESPNCricinfo, Singh said:

“I would go with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja based on their proven record. Because Ashwin can bat as well.”

Ravichandran Ashwin claimed four wickets in his two comeback ODIs against Australia late last month. While he was slated to fine-tune himself further for the tournament, India’s World Cup 2023 warm-up fixtures against England and Netherlands were washed owing to rains in Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram, respectively.

Team India will launch their World Cup 2023 campaign with a match against Australia on October 8. Their much-awaited clash will be played out at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.