The former Indian veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh said that India should not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. He asserts that there are numerous risks involved that should be taken into account before making any decision.

“India shouldn’t travel to Pakistan as it isn’t safe there and why are we taking risk of travelling when their own people aren’t safe in their country? Our government is taking the correct decision not to go to Pakistan for any series as our first priority is the safety of our players,” Harbhajan said.

He also reflected on India’s chances of lifting the World Test Championship for the first time. India has qualified for the WTC final for a second consecutive time. Two years ago India squared off against New Zealand at Rose Bowl, Southampton, England.

Even though India performed well in the overcast and unpredictable conditions New Zealand’s fast bowler Kyle Jamieson produced an incredible performance to unsettle the Indian batters. In the second innings, India’s bowling unit struggled, only managing to take two wickets. But this time the Turbanator believes that India will fare well in the final.

“Every time the Indian Team steps on the pitch we all have high hopes for their victory. Even this time we want them to be victorious. We hope that the result would be different this time and India ends up with a victory. Virat Kohli scored a century he is in a good form I believe that we have a goofed chance. If India scores 400 runs then they have the bowlers to take wickets and win the game,” Harbhajan continued.

India will play the WTC final without their key pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah. But Harbhajan believes that Indian pacers have the potential to step up against Australia.

“The team will feel the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. But we have Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur a bowler who has performed well in the Test format. Even Deepak Chahar could perform well in England. India needs to find the third bowler, Umesh Yadav is also there. So we have good bowlers. Our spinners have played a lot of cricket Jadeja and Ashwin have played there but I think only one will play there. We don’t have Bumrah but I think Shami will step up on the occasion,” he said.Inputs from ANI