Harbhajan Singh picks India playing 11 for IND vs SA 2025 1st T20I; no place for Harshit Rana

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has picked India’s playing XI for the first T20I against South Africa. Singh has selected four specialist bowlers in his team but there is no place for Harshit Rana, who has done a decent job in the recent past.

The Turbanator also preferred Jitesh Sharma ahead of Sanju Samson in the final XI. Jitesh has done a better job as a finisher but Samson has not yet grabbed his chance in the middle order after Shubman Gill has been backed as an opener with Abhishek Sharma.

Furthermore, there is no place for Shivam Dube in Harbhajan Singh’s team. The former Punjab spinner wants India to play Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together.

“From this series, the face and the final combination of the Indian team will become visible. We’ll see who the players are that’ll remain in the 11. There might be a change or two, if the pitch is green, you might add an extra seamer. But otherwise, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep must play together because they are wicket-takers,” said Harbhajan on his YouTube Channel.

“Jasprit Bumrah will definitely play and Arshdeep Singh also should, being India’s highest wicket-taker. We don’t talk much about him (Arshdeep) but he bowled the 19th over in the World Cup final. He has a great yorker with an equally good slower ball as well.”

The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on Tuesday.

Harbhajan Singh’s playing XI for 1st T20I against South Africa: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.