India vs Australia: 'Are they going to make another mistake?', Harbhajan on Ashwin, Washington inclusions for ODIs

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes India have made a mistake with the inclusion of Ravichanbdran Ashwin and Washington Sundar in the India squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting on 22 September. Ashwin, a Test regular, last played an ODI for India in January 2022. The selectors have also decided to rest skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, vice-captain Hardik Pandya, and spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the first two matches of the Australia series. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan said that India seem to be searching for off-spinners after not naming one in the provisional World Cup squad. Incidentally, the team included Washington Sundar for the Asia Cup final since Axar Patel was injured. They have not included R Ashwin and he could possibly make it to the World Cup squad if his performances give the management some hope. “They have probably realized their mistake that they haven’t picked an off-spinner in the team and that our bowlers can get into trouble if a lot of left-handers come in front of them. Are they going to make another mistake to rectify their earlier mistake,” Harbhajan said. Harbhajan also expressed his concerns over the team composition, “You will never pick three spinners in the team. You will choose two at the most. Ravindra Jadeja is definitely going to play, no matter how many left-handers are there in front of you, and the other spinner will be Kuldeep Yadav. No one can take his place as of now.” Besides Washington and Ashwin, Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna are in the squad for the first couple of ODIs. Axar Patel, who missed the Asia Cup final with an injury, is included for the third ODI, subject to fitness. After their triumph in the Asia Cup, Team India will take on Australia in a three-match ODI series where they will try to tweak a few combinations ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup. In the World Cup, India will face Australia in their campaign opener in Chennai on 8 October.