As the T20 World Cup action moves to the Caribbean, spinners are expected to play a crucial role. Despite India’s consistent lineup, Kuldeep Yadav, their premier spinner, has yet to make an appearance. The upcoming Super 8 clash against Afghanistan at Kensington Oval presents a potential opportunity for Kuldeep to make his mark.
Analysis of Team Selection
India’s bowling unit has performed admirably, posing a challenge in deciding who to exclude. Mohammed Siraj, though economical, has fewer wickets compared to his counterparts. Former World Cup champions Kris Srikkanth and Piyush Chawla advocate for Kuldeep’s inclusion over Siraj, citing the match-winning potential of wrist spinners observed in players like Adam Zampa and Tabraiz Shamsi.
Expert Opinions and Proposed Lineup
According to Srikkanth, “If I were the captain, I would definitely opt for Kuldeep Yadav. Wrist spinners can turn matches around, as seen in recent tournaments.”
Chawla agrees, suggesting a choice between Arshdeep Singh and Siraj based on recent form, with Arshdeep likely to retain his place alongside Kuldeep in the playing XI.
Srikkanth’s Proposed India XI vs Afghanistan
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya (vc)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh