Should Sudharsan Be India's No. 3 for the England Test Series?

Nagpur, June 12 (NationPress) As India embarks on a new journey in Test cricket with an emerging squad and a revitalized leadership team, former spinner Harbhajan Singh has encouraged the team to face the challenges of the upcoming five-Test series in England with confidence, patience, and bravery.

While attending the launch of the Vidarbha Cricket League in Nagpur, Harbhajan underscored that India’s triumph in England will hinge not only on their skills but also on their mental framework. “The team must have faith in themselves — trust that they can emerge victorious. This squad possesses the talent,” Harbhajan remarked. “These are the same young players — Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant — who conquered Australia at the Gabba. Now it’s their moment to etch history once more. The chance is monumental, and they should seize it wholeheartedly.”

India’s roster for the England tour signifies a notable transition. With veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin having stepped away from this format, a revamped 18-member squad will take the field under the youthful leadership of 25-year-old Shubman Gill, who has been named captain for the first time. Rishabh Pant is set to be the vice-captain.

Despite Jasprit Bumrah being considered for the captaincy role, selection chief Ajit Agarkar stated that workload issues ruled him out of the running.

“Gill is a newcomer to captaincy, and the team is relatively inexperienced — there’s no Rohit, Virat, Pujara, or even Ajinkya Rahane. It’s going to be tough, but I anticipate our young talents to step up and deliver,” Harbhajan expressed.

He also implored fans and analysts to exercise patience with the team’s development: “Just because they don’t clinch wins immediately doesn’t mean we should start criticizing them. The team requires support at this juncture. They’re navigating a transition — a new squad, a new era — and I hope it leads to a successful future for Indian cricket.”

A noteworthy aspect of the squad is the inclusion of B. Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, both receiving their first Test call-ups. Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur have made a comeback, while key absentees include Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami. Harbhajan commented on Iyer’s exclusion, which has raised concerns among supporters and former captain Sourav Ganguly.

“Shreyas Iyer is a remarkable player. He has demonstrated his capabilities in ODIs, showcased his talents in the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and IPL. So yes, he should have been included in the squad. However, perhaps the selectors don’t view him as a red-ball player at this time,” Harbhajan stated. “If I were part of the selection panel, I would have considered him. But this is not the end — his career is long, and he might even become a future ODI captain. One missed tour doesn’t signify the conclusion of his journey.”

Regarding the pivotal No. 3 batting position, Harbhajan endorsed the young Sudharsan. “In my view, Sai Sudharsan should occupy the No. 3 spot. He’s a left-handed batsman, currently in excellent form, and has just concluded an impressive IPL season. His technique is solid, and I believe he could be the key to that position.”

The five-Test series in England, commencing June 20 at Headingley, also symbolizes the onset of their 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The squad presents a well-rounded blend of youth and experience, with players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar joining the youthful core.

Harbhajan made these observations while participating in the launch of the Vidarbha Cricket League, a new domestic initiative aimed at discovering grassroots talent in the region.

“Heartfelt congratulations to the Vidarbha Cricket League. Whenever a league is initiated in any area, it brings forth local talent. Vidarbha has been a champion in the Ranji Trophy in recent years and boasts a robust team,” Harbhajan noted. “This is a significant opportunity for the youth here — if they perform well, new avenues will open for them to represent Vidarbha at higher levels. It’s an outstanding initiative.”