“You will need the wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav against Pakistan” – Aakash Chopra on India leaving out spinner in 2024 T20 World Cup win vs Ireland

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels India will need wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Yadav was surprisingly excluded from India’s playing XI against Ireland as they backed three pacers in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, given the helpful seam conditions. 

The move did paid dividends as the trio picked five wickets between them whereas Hardik Pandya also bagged 3-27 in his four overs. Furthermore, India played both finger spinners – Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, who can also contribute with the bat. 

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav delivered for Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2024. Yadav picked 16 wickets in 11 matches of the season at an average of 23.25 and an economy rate of 8.69.

“They had to bowl first after winning the toss. There is no doubt about that. You didn’t play Kuldeep Yadav. When we were playing in January against Afghanistan, we had never thought Yashasvi (Jaiswal), Rinku (Singh) and Kuldeep (Yadav) wouldn’t be in the XI wherever you play. All three weren’t part of the XI,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator feels India might regret their selection if they play with the same team against Pakistan as they will need the services of Kuldeep Yadav.

“Rinku was decided first, then Yashasvi, and after that, Kuldeep was decided here because you had to play three fast bowlers and needed a batter at No. 8. I personally don’t subscribe to this opinion. I feel you will do this in the next match as well and if you do that, you will regret a little because you will need the wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav against Pakistan,” the former India opener added.

The New York pitch is a dynamite for the batters as there is a lot of help for the fast bowlers, especially in the Powerplay overs. Chopra shared his displeasure at the extra conducive conditions for the bowlers.

“You are not doing right if you are making pitches in a World Cup which are too lop-sided in favor of the bowlers. I have no idea how the pitch can be improved overnight. I don’t think this square can become proper so early because we saw Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Ottniel Baartman’s team first in the Sri Lanka-South Africa match,” he said.

“Now we went to another pitch on the same square where the India vs Bangladesh game was played, it seemed like the pitch would be flat but that wasn’t the case. These are difficult pitches to bat,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday.