January 12, 2025: Harbhajan Singh has expressed strong support for a few rising stars to be included in India's squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Among the names he's backing, Tilak Varma stands out due to his impressive performances in the T20I series against South Africa. Harbhajan specifically highlighted Tilak’s stunning knocks in the series, including an unbeaten 107 off 56 balls in Centurion and an explosive 120* off 47 balls in Johannesburg, demonstrating his immense talent. Harbhajan believes Tilak deserves a spot in the squad based on his performances and potential.
Harbhajan also addressed the debate around India's opening pair. With both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal competing for a spot, the former cricketer backed Jaiswal to open alongside captain Rohit Sharma. While Gill has a solid record as an opener in ODIs, Harbhajan noted that Jaiswal, who is on the cusp of his debut, should be given an opportunity in the format. Furthermore, he endorsed Shubman Gill for a spot in the squad, recommending that Gill be preferred over KL Rahul, given his strong ODI form.
As India gears up for the Champions Trophy, with the ODIs against England providing key preparation, Harbhajan’s opinions reflect the growing excitement and anticipation for the final squad selections.
