It’s time for T20 World Cup Super 8 stage for the India Cricket Team after a long 8-day break. With the USA leg over, the focus shifts to slow, spin-friendly surfaces in the Caribbean islands. And in the IND vs AFG clash on Wednesday, the focus will be on spin. Kuldeep Yadav has been the go-to wrist spinner and he will come into the India Playing XI vs AFG with Mohammed Siraj likely to make way.
The dusty surface of Kensington Oval in Barbados will assist spinners, especially leg-spinners who can turn it away. And that’s where Rohit Sharma would prefer to go with a wrist-spinner. India have two leg-spinners in the squad but at the moment, Kuldeep Yadav is ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal in the pecking order.
Kuldeep Yadav vs Yuzvendra Chahal
There was a time when Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal both formed a formidable partnership in white-ball cricket. But that Kul-Cha pair has been broken down. Despite his exploits in T20s, Chahal has been expensive and is no longer among the favourites.
Even though Yuzvendra Chahal has performed well in IPL in the last two seasons, he has often been expensive. What he lacked was discipline in his bowling. Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, has been disciplined despite taking fewer wickets.
Kuldeep vs Chahal in IPL
| Player | Mat | Wckts | Econ | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 25 | 26 | 7.98 | 4/14 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 29 | 39 | 8.80 | 4/17 |
In the T20Is, Kuldeep is a clear favourite, bagging 18 wickets in 11 matches with an economy rate of just 6.00. Chahal has bagged 22 wickets in as many matches but has been a notch more expensive with an economy rate of 8.22.
Kuldeep vs Chahal in T20Is
| Player | Mat | Wckts | Econ | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 11 | 18 | 6.00 | 5/17 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 22 | 22 | 8.22 | 3/34 |
With Rahul Dravid hinting at bringing in a leg-spinner in India Playing XI vs Afghanistan, it is likely to be Kuldeep Yadav. Yuzvendra Chahal’s wait to make T20 World Cup debut will be a little longer.
Siraj out of IND vs AFG?
With pitches in New York aiding seamers, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma opted for three frontline pacers and two spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. The two spin all-rounders also provided batting depth.
Jadeja-Axar are likely to keep their places even though both have had no luck whatsoever in the USA leg. One seamer will make way for a wrist-spinner in India Playing XI vs AFG.
With Jasprit Bumrah leader of the pack and Arshdeep Singh bowling well, Mohammed Siraj will be the one to sit out.
So far, Arshdeep has picked up 7 wickets in three matches, becoming India’s leading wicket-taker. Hence, he is a sure-shot starter in IND vs AFG. Mohd Siraj, on the other hand, has only picked up a wicket in three games, although he has been economical at 5.18.
Sanju Samson & Yashasvi Jaiswal unlikely
In terms of batting, there will be no change yet. Virat Kohli will continue to open with Rohit Sharma while Rishabh Pant will bat at No 3.
There was a small injury concern regarding Suryakumar Yadav. But he seems to be fit to play in IND vs AFG. Shivam Dube also finally managed to score some runs, he will retain his place in India Playing XI vs AFG.
Hence, there will be no place for Sanju Samson or Yashasvi Jaiswal in India Playing XI vs AFG on Wednesday.
Predicted India Playing XI vs AFG
1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Virat Kohli
3. Rishabh Pant (WK)
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Shivam Dube
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Axar Patel
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Jasprit Bumrah
India Squad for Zimbabwe
Shubman Gill (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Harshit Rana
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