NAGPUR:
Harbhajan Singh again batted for off-spinner
Akshay Wakhare's inclusion in Indian Test team. In the past the former India spinner has tried to draw national selectors' attention towards the talented Vidarbha bowler.
On Thursday, the 'Turbanator' again heaped praise on Wakhare during an Instagram live chat with session with Indian opener
Rohit Sharma. "India does not have a better off-spinner than (Ravichandran)
Ashwin," said Harbhajan, before adding, "There is one talented off-spinner in Wakhare, who was with us in
Mumbai Indians. I feel he should get a Test cap.
Wakhare spent two IPL seasons with Harbhajan at the Mumbai Indians (MI). The stint helped Wakhare impress the former Test star. Whenever Harbhajan talks about off-spinners who could make the national cut, Wakhare is at the top of his list.
"He gets a good bounce off the wicket. If he gets a chance in India with a SG (Test) ball, he will be a very good bowler. A match-winner," said Harbhajan while praising Wakhare, who was nicknamed as Mukesh in MI camp. Wakhare was with Mumbai Indians on a two-year contract from 2015-17.
This wasn't the first time Harbhajan showered praises on Wakhare. When the Vidarbha spinner guided India Red to the
Duleep Trophy
title with a match-winning five-wicket haul in September 2019, Harbhajan batted for Wakhare through a tweet for the first time.
Last month, Harbhajan said that age shouldn't be the main criteria while taking a call on someone like Wakhare's, who is 34-year-old, national chances. Wakhare, the senior-most bowler in the current Vidarbha set-up, has been a consistent performer for in the last few years. He played a key role in Vidarbha's back-to-back Ranji triumphs.
Wakhare ended the 2017-18 season as the fourth highest wicket-taker with 34 wickets when Vidarbha won the maiden title. In the next season, the lanky spinner another took 34 wickets as Vidarbha retained the crown. The off-spinner also played a vital role in Vidarbha's success in 2014-15 and 2015-16 when Vidarbha qualified for the knock-outs. He was the highest wicket-taker in the country after the league phase in 2015-16.