Harbhajan Singh questions Mohammed Shami snub after India’s bowling woes in Raipur

Harbhajan Singh slammed India's team management for sidelining Mohammed Shami after their bowling unit failed to defend 358 vs SA in the 2nd ODI. He stressed the lack of experience without Shami and Bumrah.

By Rui 05 Dec 2025 in Cricket

New Update

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has posed tough questions to the current India management after their recent loss in the Raipur ODI against South Africa. The visitors chased down a big target of 359 runs and levelled the series, with the decider set to be played on December 6 in Vizag. After the loss, Harbhajan questioned the team management’s call on squad selection, especially pointing out the non-selection of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami.

India’s bowling unit, consisting of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, has looked flat in both matches so far. In the first ODI, India won but still gave away 332 runs while defending 349. In the second ODI, they failed to defend 358 runs as South Africa pulled off a historic chase in 50-over cricket’s history. These performances have left fans and former players like Harbhajan frustrated.

While speaking on his YouTube video, Harbhajan said, "Where is Shami? I don't know why Shami is not playing. I get it, you have Prasidh, he is a good bowler, but he still has a lot to learn. You had good bowlers, and you have slowly sidelined them. With Bumrah, this is a different bowling attack, and without Bumrah, it is entirely different attack altogether. We have to learn the art of winning games without Jasprit Bumrah.”

“Find spinners who can come in and take wickets” - Harbhajan

He also pointed out that in shorter formats, India need to find more match-winners who can win them games even when Jasprit Bumrah is not playing. Not only seamers, but he also urged India to find more wicket-taking spinners, as, according to him, apart from Kuldeep, there seems to be no one at the moment.

"In England, without Bumrah, Siraj was unbelievable, fantastic. India won all the Tests where Bumrah did not feature. But, in shorter formats, we need to find people who can win you games, whether it be fast bowling or spin. Find spinners who can come in and take wickets. There is Kuldeep, but what about the rest?" Harbhajan added.

Another tough test awaits this bowling unit when India take on South Africa in the decider on December 6.

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