The Indian team has dominated the 2023 World Cup so far, winning every single one of their first five games. This includes a hard-fought victory over New Zealand in Dharamsala last Sunday, where India held their nerve to win with one over remaining. Mohammed Shami also stole the spotlight, replacing Shardul Thakur and delivering a powerhouse performance with a five-wicket haul.
With a dominant lead at the top of the table, India is well-positioned for a smooth transition into the semi-finals. Their upcoming match on Sunday, October 29, is against England, the reigning champions who are currently on a losing streak. Former spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in with some tactical advice for Rohit Sharma, suggesting that India should capitalize on England's weakness against spin by fielding three specialist spinners.
Harbhajan noted that while Kuldeep Yadav is playing exceptionally well, adding Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin to the mix could be a masterstroke. Given England's current poor form and their inability to handle spin effectively, Harbhajan believes that fielding three spinners is a highly viable strategy that could put the English batters under immense pressure.
He suggested that Mohammed Siraj could be given a well-deserved break after playing several consecutive matches, especially since Shami has already hit the ground running with his five-wicket haul. However, Harbhajan clarified that if the pitch is standard and doesn't offer much turn, he wouldn't recommend major changes, suggesting the squad that beat New Zealand should stay as is.