Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has backed the Men in Blue to win the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, starting Tuesday, December 9, in Cuttack. On Saturday, December 6, during a discussion on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan noted that dew could play a factor and the toss will be crucial.
He expressed hope that India’s spinners outperform their South African counterparts and also remarked that Suryakumar Yadav’s side is quite strong, saying:
“I am predicting India to win the series, and you know that’s all we want as Indians. And I feel India’s team is quite strong. No doubt South Africa also has that powerful batting lineup, so the contests will be tough. There will be a bit of dew because the weather has changed. The toss will become very crucial. So there will be some pressure on the bowlers, but I hope our spinners beat their spinners. That is where the game will turn, just like Kuldeep turned it today. So I think it’s going to be a very good series, but I am backing India to win the series.”
The 45-year-old further emphasized that he is happy to see Hardik Pandya making his return to the side for the first time since injuring himself during the 2025 Asia Cup in late September. He also praised Abhishek Sharma and said:
“So good to see Hardik Pandya making a comeback. I am very happy and excited to see him back, and of course hopefully he will be able to bowl a few overs. And Abhishek is obviously a very, very exciting young talent, and now I would say he is definitely a proper player. A team cannot be made without Abhishek, especially in the T20 format.”
Vice-captain Shubman Gill has also been included in the squad, following his recovery from a neck injury.
Harbhajan Singh picks standout performer to watch in IND vs SA T20Is
In the same video, Harbhajan Singh picked opening batter Abhishek Sharma as the player to watch in the T20I series against South Africa. He said:
“Player to watch: Abhishek Sharma for me. He is the player to watch because if that guy stays for six overs, they won’t be able to stop him. If he gets going, then after that Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya will finish the game. Wow, it will be fun. So I am looking forward to this series. And from their side too, the batting is very good. Markram is there, and they have a decent batting lineup. Down the order, it’s a very good team. So it’s going to be fun. This is going to be a full paisa-vasool series. Don’t miss out on this.”
Abhishek has appeared in 29 T20Is, scoring 1,012 runs at an average of 37.48 and a strike rate of 189.51, including six fifties and two centuries.
Edited by Dev Sharma
