The Indian team should approach the five-Test series in England with faith, endurance, and courage, according to former spinner Harbhajan Singh. The five-test series begins on June 20 with India and England clashing at the Headingley ground.

Many of India's senior players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, and R. Ashwin, will not be in the team. Additionally, this will be Shubman Gill's first assignment as the new captain of the Indian Test team.

“The team needs to believe in themselves—believe that they can win. This team has the ability. These are the same youngsters—Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant—who broke Australia's fortress at the Gabba. Now it's their turn to make history again. The opportunity is massive, and they should grab it with both hands,” Harbhajan Singh said on the sidelines of the Vidarbha Cricket League launch in Nagpur.

While Jasprit Bumrah was a candidate for captaincy, selection chief Ajit Agarkar clarified that workload concerns ruled him out of contention.

“Gill is a new captain, and the team is quite young—there's no Rohit, Virat, Pujara, or even Ajinkya Rahane. It's going to be challenging, but I expect our youngsters to rise to the occasion and perform well.

Just because they don't win right away doesn't mean we start criticizing them. The team needs support right now. They're going through a transitional phase—a new team, a new era—and I hope it turns out to be a successful one for Indian cricket,” Harbhajan Singh said.

The selection of B. Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, who both received their first Test calls, was one of the squad's main talking points. Notable exclusions include Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami, but Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur have been remembered.

Regarding Iyer's absence, which has angered supporters and former captain Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan offered his thoughts.

“Shreyas Iyer is a very fine player. He's proven himself in ODIs and 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 might even be a future ODI captain. One missed tour doesn't mean his career is over,” Harbhajan said.

Harbhajan Singh also picked Sai Sudarshan to be his ideal no. 3 batter in the Indian XI for the Tests.

“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 Singh said.

(IANS inputs)