DUBAI: England have almost changed the face of Test cricket with their aggressively-styled ‘Bazball’ strategy. However, it remains to be seen whether they will opt for this gameplan in the forthcoming series against India starting next week. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, for one, feels ‘Bazball’ will not work in India. “Bazball is not going to work. The conditions are going to be very difficult for England. There will be turn from the very first delivery and spinners from both sides will get purchase,” he said.
The former India spinner is hopeful of India’s chances. “England will be able to dominate only if they get a pitch which has nothing to offer to spinners,” he said.
1/10:Top 10: Highest run-scorers in India-England Tests
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2/10:Sachin Tendulkar
<p>The great Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer in Test matches between India and England with 2535 runs in 32 matches at an average of 51.73 with 7 hundreds. </p>TNN
3/10:Joe Root
<p>Former England captain Joe Root is second in the list with 2526 runs in 25 matches at an average of 63.15 with 9 hundreds.</p>Getty Images
4/10:Sunil Gavaskar
<p>The legendary Sunil Gavaskar comes next with 2483 runs in 38 matches at an average of 38.20 with 4 hundreds.</p>Getty Images
5/10:Alastair Cook
<p>Former England captain Alastair Cook scored 2431 runs in 30 matches at an average of 47.66 with 7 centuries.</p>Getty Images
6/10:Virat Kohli
<p>With 1991 runs from 28 matches at an average of 42.36 and 5 hundreds, India run-machine Virat Kohli comes next in the list.</p>Getty Images
7/10:Rahul Dravid
<p>Batting legend and present India head coach Rahul Dravid comes next with 1950 runs in 21 matches at an average of 60.93 with 7 hundreds.</p>Getty Images
8/10:Gundappa Viswanath
<p>The great Gundappa Viswanath comes next with 1880 runs from 30 matches at an average of 37.60 with 4 centuries.</p>Getty Images
9/10:Cheteshwar Pujara
<p>Cheteshwar Pujara has scored 1778 runs from 27 matches at an average of 39.51 with 5 hundreds.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Graham Gooch
<p>Graham Gooch comes next with 1725 runs from 19 matches at an average of 55.64 with 5 centuries. </p>Getty Images‘No better leg-spinner than Chahal in India’
Harbhajan also recommended at least three spinners in the side for the upcoming World Cup in the Caribbean and USA in June. “I have played in the Caribbean a number of times and there is always something for the spinners. India should take at least three spinners,” said Harbhajan, who is part of the commentary panel in the ongoing DP World ILT20 League here.
Revealing his top three contenders, Bhajji stated, “I will put Yuzvendra Chahal at the top, though I don’t know why he is being ignored. Currently I don’t think there is a better leg-spinner than Chahal in India. He is very brave and a clever bowler. Ravindra Jadeja will definitely be there. India should take one off-spinner, maybe Washington Sundar. What selectors and management think, that’s a different thing, but if I was part of the management I would have picked these three.”
1/10:Top 10: Highest wicket-takers in India-England Tests
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2/10:James Anderson
<p>Veteran England fast bowler James Anderson leads the list with 139 wickets in 35 Test matches against India with a best of 5/20 and an average of 24.89.</p>Getty Images
3/10:Bhagwath Chandrasekhar
<p>Former leg-spin great Bhagwath Chandrasekhar took 95 wickets in 23 Tests against England with a best of 8/79 and an average of 27.27. </p>Getty Images
4/10:Anil Kumble
<p>Leg-break genius Anil Kumble comes next with 92 wickets from 19 Tests with a best of 7/115 and an average of 30.59. </p>TNN
5/10:Ravichandran Ashwin
<p>Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 88 wickets from 19 Tests with a best of 6/55 and an average of 28.59. </p>Getty Images
6/10:Bishan Singh Bedi
<p>The late Bishan Singh Bedi is next in the list with 85 scalps from 22 Tests with a best of 6/71 and an average of 29.87. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Kapil Dev
<p>India's greatest fast bowler ever Kapil Dev comes next with 85 wickets in 27 Tests with a best of 6/91 and an average of 37.34. </p>Getty Images
8/10:Stuart Broad
<p>Veteran England pacer Stuart Broad has taken 74 wickets in 24 Tests with a best of 6/25 and an average of 28.51.</p>Getty Images
9/10:Ishant Sharma
<p>Ishant Sharma comes next with 67 wickets in 23 Tests with a best of 7/74 and an average of 32.40. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Bob Willis
<p>The late Bob Willis took 62 wickets from 17 Tests with a best of 6/53 and an average of 23.24. </p>Getty ImagesHarbhajan feels spinners can turn the tables in T20Is. “I think the format actually works well for spinners since batters are always taking the risk. So, if you can turn the ball, you might play a big role. The spinners who take wickets, they survive. When I played, I thought of taking wickets. The day I went in thinking of conceding less runs, I used to give away 40 runs,” he said.
There is a general perception that youngsters are best suited for the shortest format but Harbhajan begs to differ. “I think it’s kind of a combination. You need youngsters but you cannot ignore experience because at times situations arise where you must take quick decisions. For that, experience matters, since you have to make the right decision at the right moment,” the 43-yearold said.
(The writer is in Dubai on invitation from ZEE Entertainment and DP World International League T20)
