Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is optimistic about the resurgence of Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer in the upcoming third Test against England, scheduled to kick off on February 15 in Rajkot. In the previous two matches of the ongoing five-game series, both batsmen struggled to make a significant impact, with Rohit accumulating only 90 runs across four innings and Iyer managing 140 runs.
Harbhajan Singh expressed his confidence in the duo's ability to overcome their lean patch in the next match, attributing it to the batting-friendly conditions at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, widely known as a "batting paradise." Speaking in a recent YouTube video, Harbhajan highlighted the crucial role played by Rohit and Iyer in the current Indian team setup, particularly given the potential absence of Virat Kohli at the top of the order in the remaining Tests against England.
"I'm optimistic about Rohit Sharma's performance with the bat. He's been struggling to score. Rajkot is known for its favorable batting conditions, and I wish there were no changes to the pitch. I'm hoping both Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer manage to score, considering the uncertainty of Virat Kohli's participation," he remarked.
Harbhajan Singh further expressed confidence in the existing squad, asserting India's capability to win matches even in the absence of Virat Kohli. "Whether Virat was present or not, our team would have emerged victorious. We are hopeful for his potential return," he added.
In addition to discussing the form of Rohit and Iyer, Harbhajan praised the performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the recently concluded second Test in Vizag, where India secured a 106-run victory. Jaiswal's double-century in the first innings and Gill's century provided promising signs for the Indian team.
"We have many positives to take from the recent performances. Yashasvi Jaiswal's double-century is significant for a young player, boosting his confidence. Shubman Gill has made a comeback to form, registering a century as well," Harbhajan remarked.
Addressing the potential lineup for the third Test against England, Harbhajan shared insights into Rajat Patidar's performance in his debut game. Despite scoring 32 and 9 runs in the respective innings, Harbhajan believes that Patidar is likely to receive another opportunity over Sarfaraz Khan in the next match.
"I believe Patidar will be given another opportunity. I don't expect Sarfaraz to feature in the next match either. The team is youthful, and the current combination seems established. Sarfaraz will need to wait for his chance," he concluded.
Sarfaraz Khan joined the squad for the England series alongside Washington Sundar and Saurabh Kumar due to injuries to KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja after the opening match.
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