Chennai Super Kings released one of their veteran spinners, Harbhajan Singh, before the IPL 2021 Auction. Harbhajan Singh played for Mumbai Indians for the majority of his IPL career. He was part of the CSK franchise for the last three seasons, but he had missed the last season due to personal reasons. The Indian off-spinner has played 160 games and picked up 150 wickets at an economy rate of 7.05. He is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL.
The 40-year-old off-spinner hasn’t played any cricket for a while, and it won’t be easy for him to make a comeback in the next season of the IPL. Having said that, Harbhajan Singh has all the experience, and he can deliver in crunch situations. There are some teams who need an off-spinner in their team, and they should target the veteran spinner in the IPL Auction. So, let’s have a look at those four teams who should try and buy Harbhajan Singh in the IPL 2021 Auction.
4. Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad has a world-class leg-spinner in Rashid Khan, but they don’t have an Indian off-spinner in their team. They have the services of Mohammad Nabi but a team can only field four overseas players in the XI and so getting an Indian off-spinner should be crucial. Harbhajan Singh could be a good option.
The likes of VVS Laxman and Muttiah Muralitharan who are in the support staff of the SRH franchise know a player like Harbhajan Singh, and they might look to get him in this auction. SRH could add some Indian spin bowlers along with the pacers they have and Harbhajan Singh should be the first on the list.
3. Mumbai Indians
No franchise knows Harbhajan Singh better than the Mumbai Indians. He was part of the Mumbai Indians team from 2008 till 2017 and won three titles with that franchise. He was a key player for them and won them a lot of games over the years. If there is one department in which the MI team is a bit weak then it is the spin department.
Harbhajan Singh could guide the youngsters Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar, and he could come in handy in the away games where the ball might turn. Mumbai Indians should target Harbhajan Singh and strengthen their spin bowling department.
2. Kings XI Punjab
Kings XI Punjab’s coach Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh formed a formidable spin pair, and it might happen again even though only one of them will take the field. Kings XI Punjab has some young leg-spinners in Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin, but they don’t have any off-spinners.
They released Krishnappa Gowtham who is an off-spinner, and they would be looking for a similar bowler. Harbhajan Singh can play that similar role. He can bowl in the powerplay and keep it tight, and we all have seen Bhajji smash a few with the bat. It would be a perfect combo and Anil Kumble would like to reunite with his spin partner. KXIP should target Harbhajan Singh in this year’s auction.
1. Rajasthan Royals
If there is a team that desperately needs an off-spinner then it is the Rajasthan Royals. They have three leg-spinners in their squad but don’t have an off-spinner. Last year, they didn’t have enough bowlers to support Jofra Archer, and this year they don’t want to make the same mistake.
Harbhajan Singh can be a dangerous bowler at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The boundaries in Jaipur are big and it won’t be easy for the batsmen to clear the ropes when Bhajji is bowling because he doesn’t give much pace to work with. If they can get Harbhajan Singh at a decent price then it would be a great deal for the Rajasthan Royals.
