Harbhajan Singh Makes Surprising Pick: Sai Sudharsan Backed for No. 3 Spot in England Test Series
Harbhajan suggests that the Test Series between India and England scheduled for 2025 could mark a new beginning in Indian cricket, and he is already making headlines with his audacious selection proposals-one of them being the surprising choice of young left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan to play at No. 3 in India’s batting order during the arduous five-match series in England.
Sai Sudharsan was recently awarded his maiden Test call-up and was the IPL 2025 Orange Cap holder. He is now being touted as one of India’s biggest young batting hopes. With his exquisite stroke play combined with calmness and pure technique, many consider him ready for any red-ball ordeal. And it seems that Harbhajan Singh is one among them.
“In my opinion, Sai Sudharsan should play at No.3. He’s a left-hander, in top form, and just came off a very impressive IPL. His technique is sound, and I believe he could be the solution at that position,” Harbhajan told IANS.
This statement has certainly turned the heat on as to who will fill up the slots in the Indian batting line-up vacated by the retired stalwarts. With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R. Ashwin now past the Test format, India is presently at a transitional mode. The 2025 India-England Test series is the commencement of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, and thus holds even more significance.
Leadership Transition: Shubman Gill Takes the Helm
While Shubman Gill is the captain now, it is an honor shared by Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, who will be the vice-captain. This new captain-vice-captain pair symbolizes a transition generating the winds of change in Indian cricket. Ajit Agarkar, Chief Selector, explained that Jasprit Bumrah isn’t earmarked for captaincy due to his workload management.
Harbhajan Singh makes surprising pick not just by endorsing Sudharsan but also by believing strongly in the young Indian squad.
“This is Gill’s new role as a captain, and the side is still quite young-no Rohit, no Virat, no Pujara, and not even Ajinkya Rahane. This would be tough, though I expect good performances from our youngsters,” he added.
Backing the Youth with Positivity and Patience
The cricketing great emphasized that India’s success in England will not rely merely on technical acumen but also on the mentality. He drew parallels with the historic Gabba Test victory and asked the team to take the plunge.
“They’re the same young boys- Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant- who broke Australia’s fortress at the Gabba. Now it’s their turn to make history again. The opportunity is really big, and they should grab it with both hands.”
Harbhajan stated that the same fans and experts must keep their patience during this transition time and that immediate results must not be used to judge public opinion.
“Just because they don’t win right away doesn’t mean we start criticising them. The team needs support right now. They, too, are ina transitional phase: a new team, a new era, and I hope it becomes a successful one for Indian cricket.”
Squad Highlights and Controversies
The 18-member squad for the Test Series India vs England 2025 includes Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, who are being selected for the Test team for the first time. Experienced players Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur are coming back to the squad. However, their omission from the squad has raised a lot of debate.
Among the concerns raised were the absences of Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami, with Sourav Ganguly expressing his concern as well. Harbhajan was very vocal about Iyer’s omission.
Besides, Harbhajan said, ”Shreyas Iyer is a very fine player. He’s proven himself in ODIs, performed in the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and IPL. So yes, he should’ve been in the squad. But maybe the selectors don’t see him as a red-ball player right now.”
”If I were part of the selection committee, I would have considered him. But this is not the end-his journey is long and he may still be a future ODI captain. One missed tour doesn’t mean the end of his career.”
Why Sudharsan at No. 3 Makes Sense
The No. 3 spot in Test cricket is one such difficult position. It generally requires technicians and psychologists who are capable of negotiating both pace and swing in alien conditions. Harbhajan Singh makes surprising pick with a little surprise in Sai Sudharsan, banking on his IPL fortune and domestic success to translate into something for him at red-ball cricket.
Sudharsan’s induction will also be beneficial because it brings in a left-right combination to break the rigidity of a right-hand-dominated top order. His recent form and hunger will also make it a good case for him to be tested on the biggest stage.
Impact on Cricket Match Predictions
This surprising shift in the structure of India’s squad and playing XI options is likely to change many live cricket match predictions for cricket matches. With new fluctuations filling the gaps left by giants of the game, analysts will have to encompass new dynamics in their analyses. Predicting player performances against the results of each team has gotten very complex, but at the same time, even more interesting.
Factors like the mindset, new captaincy, and the emergence of players such as Sai Sudharsan will add to all the interesting elements in predicting the forthcoming Test series.
Conclusion
While the India vs England Test Series of 2025 will be the curtain raiser for India’s WTC campaign, every selection and strategy will be under public scrutiny. To indicate that Harbhajan Singh makes surprising pick, he advocates for Sai Sudharsan in the all-important No. 3 position – a bold new path for Team India.
Time will tell whether the game is well placed, but one certain fact is that Indian cricket has stepped into this new and exciting phase, the very interesting period that both fans and analysts would be keenly observing.
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FAQs
- Why did Harbhajan Singh back Sai Sudharsan for the No. 3 spot?
According to Harbhajan, Sudharsan’s recent IPL performance on the back of his excellent technique and left-handed batting style would make him very suitable for the all-important No. 3 slot.
- Who is the captain of India in the India vs England Test Series 2025?
A new Test captain is Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain.
- Why was there no selection of Jasprit Bumrah as captain?
Sources from select states, Bumrah was managed on a workload basis.
- What will Sudharsan’s joining mean for match predictions in cricket?
In match analytics, Sudharsan’s presence will introduce a new and exciting feature for analysts in the balancing of left-right combinations and young talent assessment.
- Who are the key exclusions from India’s Test squad for England?
The notable exclusions are Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami, both having sparked huge discussions with fans and experts alike.