Obviously, practitioners of the same field have fellow feelings and the same is the case with Saqlain Mushtaq who feels quite bad for Harbhajan Singh, who doesn’t get proper treatment from the team.
While, Ravichandran Ashwin is termed as a world-class bowler, he is of the opinion that Harbhajan didn’t get even 1 start during last 7 T20 internationals, which in turn is hampering the confidence of the bowler.
During an interaction with the press, Saqlain stated that he is afraid of the treatment Harbhajan has been getting by the team. He is definitely a superb bowler and emergency of Ashwin doesn’t mean that Harbhajan should be dropped or put under pressure.
39 year old Saqlain stated that it is bad to drop a top grade performer as per convenience. He further added that since the time he was dropped, he has made 3 comebacks. This means that he is picked only when the team needs him else he is just dumped. The pressure that is created on him negates his past achievements.
Saqlain further says that “But what logically should have been done is that when his graph was going down, one should have given him a short break and brought him back. He should have been the first choice spinner supported by Ashwin. Instead you put self doubts in him and now made him the third or fourth choice spinner in the side,”
He is of the opinion that when a player makes a comeback, he is quite shaky and confidence needs to be given for giving his best.