There’s been a lot of talk about the Shreyas Iyer Snub from India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against England. Former star spinner Harbhajan Singh has openly questioned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about this decision. He also picked his ideal player for the important No. 3 batting spot against England.
As India starts a new chapter in Test cricket with a younger team and new leaders, Harbhajan Singh has given advice. He said the team needs to face the challenge of the five-Test series in England with strong belief, patience, and no fear.
Speaking at the launch of the Vidarbha Cricket League in Nagpur, Harbhajan stressed that India’s success in England will depend not just on how skilled the players are, but also on their mindset.
Belief and Opportunity for Youngsters
“The team needs to believe in themselves — believe that they can win. This team has the ability,” Harbhajan Singh said firmly.
He reminded everyone about the young players who have achieved big things before. “These are the same youngsters — Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant — who broke Australia’s fortress at the Gabba,” he added. The Gabba is a cricket ground where Australia rarely loses.
Harbhajan urged them to aim for greatness again. “Now it’s their turn to make history again. The opportunity is massive, and they should grab it with both hands.” This shows his strong belief in the new generation, despite the Shreyas Iyer Snub.
India’s New-Look Squad and Leadership
India’s squad for the England tour shows a big change. Famous players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin have retired from Test cricket.
Because of this, a new 18-player team will take the field. This team will be led by the 25-year-old Shubman Gill, who is captaining for the first time. Rishabh Pant has been named the vice-captain.
There was talk that Jasprit Bumrah might become captain. However, Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, explained that concerns about Bumrah’s “workload” (how much he plays and bowls) meant he could not be considered for the captaincy role.
“Gill is a new captain, and the team is quite young — there’s no Rohit, Virat, Pujara, or even Ajinkya Rahane,” Harbhajan noted. “It’s going to be challenging, but I expect our youngsters to rise to the occasion and perform well,” he added.
A Plea for Patience and Understanding
Harbhajan Singh also asked fans and critics to be patient with the team as they grow. “Just because they don’t win right away doesn’t mean we start criticising them. The team needs support right now,” he urged.
He explained that the team is going through a “transitional phase” – meaning it’s a time of change with new players and new ways of doing things. “A new team, a new era — and I hope it turns out to be a successful one for Indian cricket,” he said, asking for understanding during this period, even with controversies like the Shreyas Iyer Snub.
The Shreyas Iyer Snub: Harbhajan’s View
Among the big talking points about the squad was who was included and who was left out. B. Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh got their first call-ups to the Test team. Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur were recalled to the squad.
However, some notable players were left out. These included Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami. Iyer’s absence has caused unhappiness among fans and even former captain Sourav Ganguly. This is where the Shreyas Iyer Snub becomes a major point of discussion.
Harbhajan Singh weighed in on Iyer’s absence. “Shreyas Iyer is a very fine player. He’s proven himself in ODIs, performed in the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and IPL,” Harbhajan stated, highlighting Iyer’s strong record in shorter formats.
“So yes, he should’ve been in the squad,” he added directly. However, Harbhajan also suggested a possible reason: “But maybe the selectors don’t see him as a red-ball player right now.” Red-ball cricket refers to Test matches, which are longer than white-ball (ODI and T20) games.
Harbhajan emphasized his own view: “If I were part of the selection committee, I would have considered him.” He also offered words of encouragement for Iyer: “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.” This perspective offers a broader view on the Shreyas Iyer Snub.
Ideal No. 3 and the Series Ahead
On the very important No. 3 batting position, Harbhajan Singh strongly supported the young Sai Sudharsan. “In my opinion, Sai Sudharsan should play at No.3,” he declared.
His reasons were clear: “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.” Sudharsan’s recent strong performances make him an exciting prospect for this key spot, despite the wider discussion around the Shreyas Iyer Snub.
India’s five-Test series in England starts on June 20 at Headingley. This series also marks the beginning of their 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, making it a very important start to their journey towards the next WTC Final.
The squad includes a good mix of young talent and experienced players. Alongside the young core like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, there are experienced players like KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
Supporting Grassroots Cricket
Harbhajan Singh made these comments while attending the launch of the Vidarbha Cricket League (VCL). This is a new local cricket initiative that aims to find talented players at the basic level in the Vidarbha region.
“Hearty congratulations to the Vidarbha Cricket League. Whenever a league starts in any region, it brings out local talent,” Harbhajan said, praising the initiative.
He highlighted the strong cricket in the area: “Vidarbha has been Ranji Trophy champions in recent years and has a very strong team.” The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class cricket competition.
Harbhajan concluded by explaining the big opportunity for young players: “It’s a big opportunity for the youth here — if they perform well, new doors will open for them to represent Vidarbha at higher levels. It’s a fantastic initiative.” This underlines the importance of nurturing talent from the bottom up, which can eventually contribute to the national team, regardless of current selection discussions like the Shreyas Iyer Snub.
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