India will challenge Steyn, says Harbhajan
new delhi — Comeback from a career- threatening injury is never easy and that’s why South African pace ace Dale Steyn might not turn out to be as big a threat for India in next month’s highlyanticipated Test series, feels senior spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Steyn was out of competitive cricket for a year after suffering a shoulder dislocation during a Test match against Australia last year.
“Dale Steyn is unarguably the best fast bowler of the last 10 years but coming back into international cricket is not easy. A Test match against Zimbabwe will not exactly be an indicator of what he can do against India,” Harbhajan told PTI during an interview on the upcoming South Africa series.
“Look at the Indian batting line up. We have so much quality. Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma. This is perhaps among the best line-up in world cricket.
“For both Steyn and Morkel, it will be a challenge to stop this line-up especially when they themselves will need to get into the groove,” the ‘Turbanator’ assessed.
The lack of lateral movement in South Africa means that batsmen would only need to counter the bounce.
“The kookaburra ball, as everyone knows, will stop seaming after 20 odd overs. Plus it’s only the bounce that needs to be taken care of.”
There is a debate whether Hardik Pandya for his all-round abilities should be India’s choice as No.6 but Harbhajan thinks otherwise.
He wants to see Rohit Sharma at the No.6 position as he is still not sure how Hardik Pandya would shape up as a batsman in that important position.
“Rohit is a fabulous player. Someone who plays the pull shot well and also plays the cut shot well. Rohit is my pick at No.6. He can ride the bounce and play his strokes,” he further explained.
“Hardik is a talented boy but Rohit for me is a complete batsman,” Harbhajan gave his take on the subject. — PTI