New Delhi – Harbhajan Singh backs the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) choice of Shubman Gill as the captain of India’s One‑Day International (ODI) team. The former spin legend said the move is “a forward‑thinking step for the 2027 World Cup that will be hosted in India”.
Why Shubman Gill?
Gill was handed the ODI captaincy after a standout series in England, where he eased the team into a crucial test of his leadership. “Gill represents a futuristic vision,” Harbhajan told . “With the World Cup in 2027, India needs a captain who can plan for the long haul.”
The decision may have left some fans wondering why Rohit Sharma, who has led India to unbeaten ODI campaigns, did not stay on. Harbhajan said:
“Rohit is a talented player and a great leader. He’s earned huge respect in the dressing room. But the selectors are working with a long‑term plan. Rohit will still be a vital part of the side, just not the captain.”
Pride in Punjab talent
Harbhajan also praised Punjab cricketers who are making headlines, especially Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. “It’s a proud moment to see boys from our state perform on the world stage,” he said. “Hard work and talent are shining through, inspiring new generations to dream big.”
He added that Abhishek Sharma has made a mark in the T20 format, while Gill’s test run‑scoring and captaincy success only strengthen the state’s reputation for producing top talent.
Flood relief in Punjab
In other news, Harbhajan spoke about recent floods that hit 16 villages in Punjab, highlighting the need for quick recovery actions. He recalled providing food, diesel, and resettlement assistance on the ground. “The children’s education must not be disrupted,” he said. “We’re covering their school fees for a year, and if farmers are still struggling, we’ll keep helping.”
Harbhajan urged people to donate to disaster‑relief charities and continue support for impacted communities. He also emphasized the importance of protecting sports infrastructure from climate events – a point he saw fitting into broader government efforts to boost India’s sports platform.
On the Asia Cup trophy controversy
The India win in the Asia Cup was marred by a controversial handshake incident involving Pakistan players. Harbhajan said “India did win the tournament and the trophy is theirs.” He argued that the debate over awarding the trophy was unnecessary and would only get delayed. “Trophy or no trophy, the victory stands.”
Lalit Modi’s video of the 2006 Sreesanth incident
Harbhajan expressed frustration after Lalit Modi released an old video showing a disagreement he had with former cricketer Sreesanth. “It was unnecessary to bring it up now,” he told . “It hurts but I believe we can learn from past mistakes.” Harbhajan said his apologies to Sreesanth already stand and that the matter should have stayed private.
Looking ahead for Indian cricket
On the political side, Harbhajan asked how sports ties into the larger government agenda. He thinks there’s great scope for India to better nurture talent and that sufficient investment in nutrition and coaching could bring the country on par with nations like Australia and China. “A strong sports culture can improve medal tallies and give young athletes more opportunities to shine,” he said.
In Summary
- Harbhajan supports BCCI’s choice of Shubman Gill as the ODI captain to shape India’s future for the 2027 World Cup.
- Gill already proved himself in England, and his leadership is considered future‑oriented.
- Rohit Sharma continues to be a key player but will not be the skipper moving forward.
- Punjab cricket stars, especially Gill and Abhishek Sharma, are getting national praise for their consistent performance.
- Harbhajan is actively involved in flood relief works in Punjab, ensuring education for impacted children remains uninterrupted.
- He expressed disappointment at Lalit Modi’s release of a 2006 video involving Sreesanth—an act he found unnecessary.
- The India Asia Cup win was uncontested, despite handshake controversy; Harbhajan emphasizes the trophy belongs to India.
- Harbhajan sees a bright future for Indian cricket if government support and sports infrastructure grow in parallel.
These talking points reflect the key themes that Harbhajan raised in his interview with , offering a snapshot of India’s cricket‑related priorities as the country gears up for the next international stage.
Source:
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
