Harbhajan Singh said he bases his opinion on the form that Mohammed Siraj has enjoyed and because New Zealand have never faced him.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Harbhajan said that Siraj gets his vote because New Zealand are yet to face him
• Harbhajan also said that Siraj’s form makes him difficult to overlook
• The veteran spinner also backs India to win the WTC final

Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh said that he backs Mohammed Siraj to be picked ahead of Ishant Sharma for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand on Friday. Harbhajan said he bases his opinion on the fact that Siraj has been in good form and New Zealand have never faced him.

“Everyone have their opinions on this. If I was part of management, I will back Siraj over Ishant. Just purely on his form, he is young, raw and quick and New Zealanders haven’t played him,” Harbhajan told India Today on eSalaamCricket on Thursday.

“With all due respect to Ishant, he is a senior member, he has played a number of games for India and done well but this is just one game where I will put Siraj ahead of Ishant Sharma. I could be wrong but this is what I feel,” he said.

Harbhajan said that he backs India to win the match based on their recent form and their performances both home and away.

“I back them purely on talent and the results they have got in recent series. They won the series in Australia, done really well in India. This is what India is all about, they don’t really worry about where they are playing, they just go out and do what they do.

“With Rohit Sharma coming in the batting looks much better. In bowling you have Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and of course Jasprit Bumrah. All they need to do is make sure they start very well,” said Harbhajan.

Earlier, David Warner said that the final could be decided which bowling side performs better. “We are at Southampton (for the WTC Final), which has been a spinning wicket in Tests. In ODIs, we have seen it as a hard bouncy track. So do India play two spinners? It is going to be a great battle, both teams are using a Dukes ball, so I think it is going to be a battle of the bowlers,” he said.