The India Cricket Team turn their attention to the Kanpur Test now after having dominating Bangladesh in Chennai. But Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir would be tempted to make slight changes to the Playing XI owing to Kanpur pitch. With Green Park Stadium favouring spinners, there is a big chance that India would like to head into the game with 3 spinners.
The inclusion of a third spinner will necessarily mean, India will have to do away with one pacer. Ashwin and Jadeja will obviously retain their spot in the team following their heroics in Chennai. The third spinner choice lies between the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
Jasprit Bumrah will continue to spearhead India’s pace attack. He is likely to be accompanied with Mohammed Siraj as Akash Deep is likely to be benched. In Akash Deep’s place either of Kuldeep or Axar will get a chance to weave their magic in Kanpur.
Extra Spinner for India?
The Kanpur pitch is notoriously known to favour spinners. This will force India to play an extra spinner in the game. Interestingly, when India last played a Test match in Kanpur, back in 2021 November against New Zealand, Axar was the third spinner. Axar was highly effective with the ball, grabbing a fifer in the first innings.
But now the Axar vs Kuldeep debate wages on. While Axar Patel provides a complete package as an all-rounder, Kuldeep on the other hand is a specialist spinner. Should India go for a more aggressive approach then Kuldeep would be a good choice for the hosts. Attacking the ball early on the game can be done by the leggie and given Gambhir is a highly aggressive coach, Kuldeep’s chances is significantly high.
On the other hand, Axar provides a more balanced output for the team. He is handy with the bat, capable of playing big shots. Furthermore, Axar’s batting skills helps the team in having yet another batting option for the team. As for the team, the rest of the members from the Chennai Test are likely to retain their place.
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