Harbhajan Singh picks Shubman Gill as opener, drops Shardul Thakur from his predicted playing XI

India will play first test against West Indies at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has picked his predicted eleven for the first test against West Indies. This will mark the beginning of India’s campaign for the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. While team management is still in dilemma for India’s number three and opening combination against West Indies, Harbhajan Singh has suggested that India should carry on with WTC Final opening combination and Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma while Yashasvi Jaiswal should replace Cheteshwar Pujara. In the pace bowling attack, Harbhajan picked Mukesh Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat to accompany Mohammed Siraj. He has not picked all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the playing eleven and has gone with two spin all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin. 

Shubman Gill as an opener and Yashasvi Jaiswal at Number 3

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh while talking about the opening combination said, “According to me, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill should open and Yashasvi Jaiswal should play at number 3. A lot of people say that Yashasvi Jaiswal should be made to open and Shubman should be played down the order. I don’t think so because Shubman has made it his place. He has got that position that should not be touched”. Virat Kohli at Number 4 and Ajinkya Rahane at Number 5 look fixed in the Indian eleven as well as in Harbhajan Singh’s predicted XI. Harbhajan has also given KS Bharat as wicketkeeper over Ishan Kishan. 

In a pace bowling attack, Harbhajan Singh picked Jaydev Unadkat and young Mukesh Kumar to accompany Mohammed Siraj. Explaining his decision he added, “Along with Mohammed Siraj, I will see Jaydev Unadkat because he has been performing in domestic cricket for a long time and he has not got many opportunities. So I hope he gets an opportunity to play there and he shows what he can do. So I will keep Unadkat in the team and at Number 11 I will keep Mukesh Kumar”. The first test between India and West Indies will begin on 12th July at Windsor Park in Dominica. Second test will begin on 20th July at Queens Park Oval in Trinidad & Tobago. 

Harbhajan Singh’s predicted playing XI

Rohit Sharma ©, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar