What Makes Harbhajan An Automatic Choice?

He has figured in 107 ODI’s since 1997, and has 127 wickets. A single five wicket haul back in February 2002 against England at Mumbai, one four wicket haul against Zimbabwe in March 2002 at Guwahati and another 4 wicket haul against Sri Lanka at Bristol, UK in the NatWest Tournament.

In the last 17 ODI games since Nov 2004, a haul of 11 wickets from 154.3 overs with two games where he had two wickets, seven games with a solitary wicket and wicketless in eight games.

Most certainly not a match-winner by any standards. Restrictive at best in a few games.

Whatever makes Harbhajan an automatic choice in this Indian side?