ICC T20 World Cup 2022: India vs Australia LIVE: 3 spinners, 2 spots, Rohit Sharma said he has his Playing XI for the Pakistan match, but he still has to solve the puzzle in terms of spin attack. With Axar Patel being the designated spin all-rounder, the battle is between Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin for the 2nd spot. The two warm-up matches against Australia on Monday and New Zealand on Wednesday will give a good indication of where the players stand. Follow T20 World Cup LIVE & India vs Pakistan LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“I don’t believe in last-minute decisions. We want to keep our boys informed about team selection before so that they can prepare early. I already have my XI for the Pakistan match. Already those players are informed. I don’t believe in a last-minute thing. I want them to prepare well,” Rohit Sharma said in a press conference.
ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal & Axar Patel, 3-way battle for 2 spots in Playing XI for Pakistan, Australia & NZ game to decide, Check OUT
As there is no Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel is certain to start ahead of Deepak Hooda. While he is inexperienced when it comes to Australian pitches, having played just four matches, he has enough understanding. His role as the left-arm spinner also comes in handy like Jadeja. Ashwin is the most experienced bowler in Australia. While he did well in the last warm-up game bagging three wickets, he was a little expensive. For Yuzvendra Chahal, his expensive spells and drought in wickets are a concern for Team India.
India at T20 WC: Battle of spinners in Pakistan match
- Axar Patel has all but sealed his place in the Playing XI considering he is a left-arm spinner.
- He also has been among wickets.
- In the last 10 matches, he has been India’s most effective spinner with 15 wickets with an economy of 7.96.
- Even when batters had a field day in Mohali, he kept it under control while bowling in powerplays.
- Yuzvendra Chahal after a brilliant IPL 2022 had been in a fine run of form. But he has been expensive in the last few games.
- In the last 10 matches, he has bagged 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.68.
- The other candidate is R Ashwin. His experience of bowling in Australian conditions will be crucial for team India.
- He can also come in handy with the bat but that is not guaranteed.
- Since his return to T20I team in Asia Cup, Ashwin has played 8 games, bagging just 5 wickets.
- However, he has been very economic, conceding at just 6.84 runs an over.
ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal & Axar Patel, 3-way battle for 2 spots in Playing XI for Pakistan, Australia & NZ game to decide, Check OUT
But a wrist-spinner does have his perks in T20s. Yuzvendra Chahal could be that sort of a spinner. The leggie has two warm-up games to get his rhythm back after conceding 49 runs in 4 overs for just one wicket against Western Australia XI in the 1st practice match.
For Ashwin, what works in his favour is his off-spin. While he has not really used his off-spin in T20s and has relied heavily on his carrom balls, he can change that. On hard Australian pitches, spin could be an option. His off-spin also works great with match-ups against left-handers.
The other option could be to go with Deepak Hooda. However, he hasn’t proved his worth batting at No 6. Hooda can deliver two overs and could be an extra batter in the Playing XI. But with India’s bowling attack already down in absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma would be aiming to go with an experienced spinner.
ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal & Axar Patel, 3-way battle for 2 spots in Playing XI for Pakistan, Australia & NZ game to decide, Check OUT
India T20 WC Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh. Standby Players: Mohammad Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur
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