World Cup 2023: Harbhajan Singh takes U-turn, picks Ashwin ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in his India playing 11

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Days after questioning Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar's selection in the India squad for the bilateral ODI series against Australia, Harbhajan Singh has taken a U-turn and dropped Kuldeep Yadav from his India playing 11 for the World Cup 2023 matches.

Harbhajan Singh had earlier said that trying out Ashwin and Sundar just ahead of the World Cup 2023 did not make any sense as Ravindra Jadeja and undroppable Kuldeep Yadav would be the only two spinners in the India playing eleven in the ICC mega event.

India had not picked a single right-arm spinner and off-spinner in the preliminary 15-member squad. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja (all left-arm spinners) were named in the squad.

"They have probably realised their mistake that they haven't picked an off-spinner in the team and that our bowlers can get into trouble if a lot of left-handers come in front of them. Why unnecessarily go through all this? It is beyond my understanding or they are going to make another mistake to rectify their earlier mistake," Harbhajan Singh had said on his YouTube channel.

"You will never pick three spinners in the team. You will choose two at the most. Ravindra Jadeja is definitely going to play, no matter how many left-handers are there in front of you, and the other spinner will be Kuldeep Yadav. No one can take his place as of now. So why go through this process," he had added.

World Cup 2023: Harbhajan Singh takes U-turn, picks Ashwin over Kuldeep in his playing 11

Now just ahead of the World Cup 2023, Harbhajan Singh has taken a U-turn and dropped Kuldeep Yadav altogether from his India playing eleven for the upcoming World Cup matches. He has picked Ashwin, who replaced Axar in India's final World Cup squad, in place of the in-form chinaman bowler.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Harbhajan was asked to pick his ideal bowling lineup for India during the tournament. The former off-spinner picked Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami among the pacers.

Among spinners, he decided to pick Ashwin over Kuldeep in the India playing XI for World Cup 2023.

"If you want a proven bowler, I would go with R Ashwin alongside Ravindra Jadeja," said Harbhajan.

When asked again, the 43-year-old said that he would pick Ashwin since he can provide batting depth.

"Yes, because Ashwin can bat as well."

"That's where you have to back your guy who has done it. If he doesn't, then you can have a guy who can come in and perform like Kuldeep," said Harbhajan.