Twitterati declare Harbhajan Singh as a specialist batsman

Former Indian offie Harbhajan Singh’s selection in the playing XI for the Chennai Super Kings has been a conundrum for the skipper. While it is evident that the offie is picked for his bowling exploits, the fact that CSK skipper MS Dhoni has sparingly used him as a bowler this season.

For the Super Kings, the offie has not got to bowl as much as during his previous stint with the Mumbai Indians where he was a key bowler. In the 13 matches that Harbhajan has played this season, the veteran has bowled only 31.5 overs. However, against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the qualifier game, the offie was never used by the skipper.

It was the many of the firsts by MS Dhoni this season, after opting to play Harbhajan upfront in the batting order against Kings XI Punjab. Dhoni, this time decided that he would not use the offie in the entire game, despite there being some help for the spinners on the pitch.

Jadeja over Harbhajan

After the first few overs, Dhoni opted to go with the left-arm spin of Ravindra Jadeja against the off-spin of Harbhajan Singh. It was the first time in over 100 games that the off-spinner was never used in a game, with the offie being a regular feature for Mumbai Indians.

Some Twitter users also suggested that Dhoni is holding Harbhajan back to bowl against the big West Indian Carlos Braithwaite, who has had his struggle against spin in his career. However, others suggested that with the Super Kings bowling blowing hot and cold, it was always a wise decision to have an experienced bowler in the stable. The 37-year-old has taken 7 wickets from 13 matches he has played including the one in which he did not get to bowl at all.

Others expected an over or two from the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, who in the past has proven to be a natural wicket-taker for any franchise. Giving an over to the Australian might have reduced the required runs a little bit, while Shardul went for one-too-many.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to the decision not to bowl Harbhajan Singh

#SRHvCSK @harbhajan_singh gonna open batting… pic.twitter.com/zqYg5FHkxk

— Sandeep Kumar (@SandeepKrIITK) May 22, 2018

Shardul should never be used in death overs and that too against a blaster like Carlos Brathwaite. Blunder by @msdhoni . @harbhajan_singh is not used at all.

— Balaji (@simplemann1) May 22, 2018

Dhoni# stop play with team play with your ego…
Last year irfan pathan and this year harbajan singh.
u are believe overseas player more than indian player…in this all series u not given to complete all over to spin blowers….

— Prabhjot Sandhuria (@singhsandhuria) May 22, 2018

Harbhajan Singh playing as a specialist batsman or what? 🤔

— Chinmay Jawalekar 🇮🇳 🏏 (@CricfreakTweets) May 22, 2018

So Harbhajan Singh playing as specialist fielder, Poor guy, no Overs#IplPlayOffs #IPL2018Playoffs #CSKvSRH #Mumbai #harbhajansingh

— Sultan Mehmood Khan (@smk_77) May 22, 2018

Harbhajan Singh will be awarded "Jadeja of the match" #CSKvSRH

— Cricket Bakchod (@Cric_bakchod) May 22, 2018

Harbhajan hasnt bowled today. Maybe another surprise element to bat him at 3? 😂 #Qualifier #SRHvCSK @harbhajan_singh

— Prahalad (@prahaladkobla) May 22, 2018

@harbhajan_singh Have you ever played a full T20 game in which you haven't bowled a single ball?

— @Pranav (@pranavgokhale) May 22, 2018

Looks like Harbhajan Singh is playing today as pure batsman in the XI. #SRHvCSK

— Ananthasubramanian (@_chinmusic) May 22, 2018