Not Shami! Harbhajan Singh wants India to rest this bowler for Ravi Ashwin against England in CWC 2023 match

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh wants Ravichandran Ashwin to play the game against England.

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh wants India to play Ravi Ashwin in their playing XI when they face England in their next match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. And to accommodate Ashwin in the playing XI, Harbhajan had advised India to drop a pacer.

Ashwin, who was named to the India World Cup 2023 squad just a week before the event's commencement, had appeared in one of India's five matches to date. He bowled 10 overs in India's opener against Australia and took one wicket for 34 runs.

India have only used two spinners since that contest. However, if conditions allow, India could field three spinners against England. The defending champions are struggling in the event, and their difficulties against quality spin are well documented.

Lucknow’s Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is known for its slow wicket. Despite the fact that the pitches have been re-laid from scratch after Lucknow received criticism during IPL 2023, the new pitches are still very spin bowler-friendly.

'Mohammed Siraj can be rested,' says Harbhajan Singh ahead of IND Vs. ENG clash in Lucknow

Harbhajan Singh has proposed that India should rest Mohammed Siraj and replace him with Ashwin to make life difficult for England. However, he noted that if a normal pitch is available, India could start the same eleven that faced New Zealand.

“Kuldeep Yadav’s form has been good, but I wonder if we will get to see three spinners play in the next game: Kuldeep, [Ravindra] Jadeja, and Ashwin. It could be a possibility since England do not play well. As it is, England are 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 said on his YouTube channel.

In order to accommodate Ravi Ashwin in the side, Harbhajan Singh suggested resting Mohammed Siraj, who has played all five games till now. Mohammed Shami recently picked a fifer in his first match of the CWC 2023.

“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 turns, 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 they might want a slow pitch,” he further elaborated.