Harbhajan Singh, veteran Indian off-spinner has backed Virat Kohli and Team India to do well on their upcoming series in Australia. Apart from the 6 limited-overs matches, the Indian team will also play the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they hold in a 4-match Test series.
The first Test, a day-night pink ball affair, will begin in Adelaide from December 17 and will see Virat Kohli in action, before he flies back home for the birth of his first child. Bhajji believes that the Indian team has got what it takes to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy once again.
"This team has got enough power to retain the trophy. They played brilliant cricket last time they were in Australia, Virat Kohli was absolutely brilliant and so was Pujara. We hardly hear his name because he is always under the shadow of the big players but Pujara's contribution was big.
It's going to be a big challenge without Virat Kohli, but I still feel the Indian team has got that kind of a batting lineup and also the bowling, which has been a key factor for them... they can get those 20 wickets,” Harbhajan said.
"They have got the team to beat Australia in Australia even with David Warner and Steve Smith," Harbhajan said on the special episode of India Today e-Inspiration.
He felt that the Indian team has the edge as its players are coming from playing competitive cricket in IPL 2020 in UAE.
“The series will start from even but I would give the edge to India because they have got the team to play in any condition, be it in Australia or England, they have got the mindset. Both teams haven't played a lot of quality in cricket because of the pandemic year. But Indian cricketers have gone there right after the IPL which will give them some sort of an edge over the Aussies," Bhajji said.
Harbhajan also touched upon the issue of team India’s combination after Virat Kohli leaves for India after the first Test match in Adelaide. Ajinkya Rahane is expected to captain the side in the remaining three matches.
The off-spinner said that he will not disturb the opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. He added that he expects "quality" batsman KL Rahul to fill in for Kohli at no.4 in the three Tests India will play without their best batsman.
"I would not change the opening combination, Rohit Sharma should open in Australia and KL Rahul can fill that slot for Virat Kohli. Rahul is too good a player to bat at No. 3, 4, or even open. It will not make a huge difference if he bats at No. 3 or opens because he is a quality player," Harbhajan Singh told on India Today's show 'Inspiration'.
AUS v IND 2020-21: Rohit Sharma willing to bat wherever India need for Australia Tests
The offie with over 400 wickets in Test matches, reckoned that India bowlers will be looking forward to bowling with the Pink ball in Australia.
"Both the teams will be starting from scratch and it will come down to who plays the better cricket and who will bowl better. The pink ball seams around a lot when it's new but once the seam settles down it gets easier to bat.
Our seamers will be looking forward to bowl with the pink ball because India has got a great lineup. Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and the others can do the damage which Australia will also look to do," Harbhajan Singh said.
