India Tour of England: Harbhajan Singh Backs Sai Sudharsan for Crucial No. 3 Spot
As anticipation builds for India’s challenging five-Test series against England, former spinner Harbhajan Singh has thrown his weight behind young left-hander Sai Sudharsan to anchor the pivotal No. 3 position in the batting lineup. With the series marking the beginning of India’s campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Harbhajan, speaking to IANS, emphasized Sudharsan’s credentials, stating, ‘In my opinion, Sai Sudharsan should play at No. 3. He’s a left-hander in top form, coming off an impressive IPL 2023 season where he scored over 500 runs at a strike rate of 140. His technique is solid, and I believe he can be the solution for that crucial spot.’ Sudharsan, who recently earned his first Test call-up, has shown remarkable composure for Gujarat Titans and in domestic cricket, making him a promising candidate for the role.
The Indian squad for this tour signals a new era for the team. With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin stepping away from the longest format, a youthful 18-member contingent will take the field under the leadership of Shubman Gill, who at 25 years old becomes one of India’s youngest Test captains. Rishabh Pant, returning to red-ball cricket after a long injury layoff, will serve as vice-captain, adding dynamism to the leadership group.
Selection chief Ajit Agarkar clarified the decision to overlook Jasprit Bumrah for captaincy, citing workload management concerns for the pace spearhead. ‘We need Jasprit fit and firing for the entire series. Leadership responsibilities can take a toll, and we want him focused on bowling,’ Agarkar explained during a press conference in Mumbai.
Harbhajan acknowledged the challenges ahead for this revamped side. ‘Gill is a new captain, and the team is young. There’s no Rohit, no Virat, no Cheteshwar Pujara, or even Ajinkya Rahane. It’s going to be tough, but I expect our youngsters to rise to the occasion,’ he said. He also urged fans and pundits to be patient during this transitional phase, adding, ‘Just because they don’t win immediately doesn’t mean we should criticize them. They need support. This is a new team, a new era, and I hope it becomes a successful chapter for Indian cricket.’
Instilling confidence in the squad, Harbhajan reminded everyone of their potential. ‘This team has the ability to win. These are the same youngsters—Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant—who broke Australia’s fortress at the Gabba in 2021. Now, it’s their turn to make history again. The opportunity is massive, and they must grab it with both hands,’ he asserted.
The squad selection has sparked debates, notably around the omission of Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami. While Shami’s exclusion is linked to injury recovery, Iyer’s absence has raised eyebrows, with former captain Sourav Ganguly questioning the decision. Harbhajan weighed in, saying, ‘Shreyas Iyer is a fine player. He has proven himself in ODIs, performed in the World Cup and IPL. If I were on the selection committee, I would have considered him. But this isn’t the end—his journey is long, and he could even be a future ODI captain.’ Alongside Sudharsan, pacer Arshdeep Singh earns a maiden Test call-up, while Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur make a return to the fold.
The series kicks off on June 20, 2025, at the iconic Headingley Stadium in Leeds, promising a stern test for this young Indian side on English soil, where swing and seam often dominate. With a blend of fresh talent and a few seasoned campaigners, India will look to lay a strong foundation in their quest for the World Test Championship title. Can Sai Sudharsan cement his place at No. 3? Can Shubman Gill lead from the front? As Harbhajan rightly pointed out, belief will be key for this team to carve its own legacy.