IPL 2014: The Expendables - 5 players who can make a comeback to Team India

4. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh

The off-spinner has not been at the top of his game for a long time now, but he has put in a reasonable shift in the domestic circuit, travelling with his Ranji side Punjab to the semi-finals. He has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians side and has been retained by the franchise.

Meanwhile, India’s spinners are facing a challenge in unfavourable New Zealand conditions. Ashwin failed to deliver in the Test series against South Africa but that is not to say that a call for his replacement is imminent. It is merely to say that the time is ripe for Harbhajan to put his hat in the ring alongside the likes of Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha. It seems that he is quite low down in the pecking order and that is not a healthy sign for the ‘Turbanator’.

The spinner boasts of a significant Test career that was marked by a flying start and given impetus by an unforgettable 2001 home series against Australia during which he picked up a memorable hat-trick that still remains fresh in memory.

He was a part of India’s successful 2007 T-20 and 2011 World Cup campaigns. The T20 format is not ideal for a spinner to showcase the range of his skills as it condemns mature cricketing attributes in the face of blind hitting. However, the performances of Amit Mishra indicate that making an immediate impact is not impossible as long as the spinner can bowl with guile and anticipation. It is high time Harbhajan brings his best game to the fore.