'I support this selection 100 percent, feel it is great decision' - Harbhajan Singh on Ajinkya Rahane's inclusion in WTC Final squad

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has lauded the selectors for picking Ajinkya Rahane in the squad for the World Test Championship Final 2023 scheduled to be played from June 7 between India and Australia at The Oval in London. Rahane is making a return a return to the Indian team after over a year as he last played a Test in January 2022 vs South Africa.

The 34-year-old was shown the door by the Test team after his string run of low scores. However, Rahane has earned back his place with his brilliant show in Ranji Trophy 2022-23 and IPL 2023. Expressing his delight at Rahane’s selection, Harbhajan said that he’s a brilliant player with great technique.

“He has captained India in so many matches and is a brilliant player as well. He has great technique. I feel the decision has been taken keeping in mind his present form and hence has been recalled because Shreyas Iyer is still not part of the team,” Harbhajan said in his latest YouTube video.

The former India cricketer further said that it’s a big opportunity for Rahane to make a statement with his performance in the big game. He also stated that he's the best man to replace Shreyas Iyer, who's been ruled out of the match owing to a back injury.

“And with Iyer absent, it serves as an opportunity for Rahane and it’s a big match. He is a big player as well and I hope he gives a big performance to justify the selection. I support this selection 100 percent and I feel it is a great decision. There was actually no other solution other than this,” Harbhajan added.

Rahane at his aggressive best in IPL 2023

In the ongoing IPL 2023, Rahane has been in sublime form as he’s shown intent right from the word go. Playing for Chennai Super Kings, he has scored 209 runs from five innings at an average of 52.25 and a strike rate of 199.04 with two fifties to his name. In the Ranji Trophy 2022-23, he finished as the highest run-scorer for Mumbai with 634 runs from 11 innings at an average of 57.63 with two hundreds and one fifty to his name.

Meanwhile, it will be India’s second consecutive appearance in the WTC final after they lost the inaugural edition against New Zealand in June 2021. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be missing the services of star players Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah in the big game and have a herculean task at hand to beat the World’s number one Test team in the final.