Harbhajan Singh bats for Rishabh Pant's inclusion in India ODI squad

India vs Australia: Brief Scores - Australia (288/5) beat India (254/9) by 34 runs. Virat Kohli said MS Dhoni 's dismissal was the turning point in India's 34-run loss to Australia in the first ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Chasing 289, India managed only 254 for 9. (Full Scorecard)

Harbhajan Singh has batted for wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant inclusion in the Indian ODI team and has also backed MS Dhoni to regain his form. MS Dhoni made a slow 51 from 96 balls in India's 34-run defeat to Australia in the first ODI, sparking debate about his current form.

Chasing 289 for a win, India were at one stage reduced to 4 for 3 before Rohit, who scored his 22nd ODI hundred, and Dhoni put on a 137-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Dhoni was unlucky as the ball that trapped him in front had pitched outside the line of the leg stump but the wicketkeeper-batsman consumed too many deliveries during his stay at the crease.

"After you lose three early wickets, the middle order's first motive is to revive the innings. Dhoni did well in that aspect but when we thought he would accelerate he lost his wicket. Rohit Sharma was under tremendous pressure after that," Harbhajan told Sports Tak.

"Rohit needed support from the other end and Dhoni's presence at the crease would have made the difference."

Harbhajan said the day Dhoni finds his mojo back all the issues relating to India's middle-order will be sorted.

"India have potential in the middle order. We can't say Rayudu and Dhoni don't have potential. Dhoni has won many matches for India in the past. Yes, he has struggled in the recent past and I feel he must get back to form. The way he batted in the IPL 2018 was brilliant. He needs to get that form back and the day he does that, I don't think we will need to worry a lot about the middle order. He needs to shift his gear and the day he does that the middle order issues will be sorted," he said.

Harbhajan further praised Rishabh Pant and said India must include the power-hitter in the side.

"Rishabh Pant has that X-factor in him, which Adam Gilchrist had. He has the potential to hit six sixes...I am not talking about six sixes in an over but if he plays 30 balls he has the ability to hit at least six sixes, which can be game-changing.

"I think Rishabh Pant is a must in the Indian team because if we lose three early wickets, we need to have a power-hitter lower down the order. I think his inclusion will not only strengthen India's batting line-up but also fix the middle-order issues," he said.

The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at Adelaide while the third and final match of the series will be played in Melbourne.

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