'India needs a bowler who can bat a bit...': Not Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harbhajan Singh wants this star to feature in England Tests

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes that Shardul Thakur holds the edge over Nitish Kumar Reddy in the upcoming Test series against England. Shardul recently smashed a century in England during India's intra-squad clash ahead of the red-ball assignment.

After Shardul's unbeaten century, India's World Cup-winning star suggested the Shubman Gill-led side to feature with Shardul Thakur instead of Nitish Kumar Reddy. He further explained that India needs a player who can bat and bowl a little bit. He said that Nitish is a proper batter who can definitely bowl. But he hasn't bowled much in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“India needs a bowler who can bat a bit. India have got a batting till No. 7, and at No. 8, you need to see who can bowl and get those wickets for you and bat a bit. Not someone who bats and bowls a little bit” Harbhajan Singh told PTI.

“That’s where Shardul will have an edge on Nitish Reddy in my view. Nitish is a proper batsman who can definitely bowl. But we have not seen him bowling in the IPL much…

"Gautam (Gambhir) is there. He is a very capable coach. And I am sure he will take the right decision.” he added.

Harbhajan Singh also opened up on Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from the squad, suggesting the latter to not be disheartened by giving Karun Nair's example. Nair has been added to India's squad after almost seven years after a dominating performance in domestic cricket.

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“It’s very unfortunate... I was a bit shocked not seeing his name in the squad. I’m sure he will come back strong. He has got that will to make a comeback…All I can say is, don’t be disheartened, you will get your due, if not today, then tomorrow…Look at Karun Nair.

"He scored 300 runs against England and then never got too many opportunities. Now he is back in England with the team," Harbhajan added.

The five-Test match series between India and England is scheduled to start from June 20 and this will be first assignment for Shubman Gill as a captain.

India squad for England series

Shubman Gill(C), Rishabh Pant(vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Parishdh Krishna, Akashdeep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav