'There are two people missing in this team': Harbhajan Singh on India World Cup squad

Former Indian offspinner Harbhajan Singh suggested on Thursday that Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh should have been included in the 15-man roster for the 2018 ODI World Cup.

Chahal and Arshdeep were left out of India's team, which was released on Tuesday by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.

"I believe this team is lacking two members. Yuzvendra Chahal comes first, followed by Arshdeep Singh. Because if a left-arm seamer can bring the new ball inside, it makes it valuable in the game," Harbhajan stated during a Star Sports virtual news conference.

"If he can get two wickets early in the game, I'm not saying right-handers can't do that, but a left-hand seamer can get an actual angle to get the wicket." He used Australia's Mitchell Starc as an example, saying, "You can see how Shaheen Shah Afridi or Mitchell Starc have a huge impact on the game."

"When Australia won the World Cup, Mitchell Starc had a huge impact on the games; on the first ball, he sent Brendan McCullum out." With that speed, an incoming ball into a right-hander is usually difficult."

Chahal would have been in the starting lineup at all times.

"Chahal is a proven match winner, someone who has taken more wickets than any other spinner, and if he was playing for any other country, I think he would have been in the playing XI all the time," Harbhajan said of Chahal's inclusion.

"Despite demonstrating so much, I believe he should be on the team." If I were in charge, I would surely retain him on the squad. Because we are all interested in Indian cricket. And we want Indian cricket to be successful.

"These two guys could have come in handy during the World Cup, particularly in conditions where they know what to do and how to take wickets." So I believe these two people, simply because they are in India, have missed it." Harbhajan Singh expressed surprise that there were no right-arm spinners in the squad.

"We've chosen two left-arm spinners who will never play in the same match." Axar will not play the day Ravindra Jadeja does.

"It's also possible that when the opposition has a lot of left-handers, Jadeja won't even bowl." That day, you'll need a bowler who can get the ball away from left-handed batters.

"So, Chahal and Arshdeep should have been on the team, but who should have taken their place is up for debate."

"When choosing three spinners, you should have gone with a combination of leftarm plus an offspinner or legspinner." But I'm surprised that you chose two leftarmers instead of a legspinner or an offspinner." "Suryakumar is the complete package"