Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra recently shared his insights on India’s bowling combination and choices for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. In a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra discussed the competition between wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, the unsettled seam-bowling combination, and the battle between Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja for a spot in the squad.
Chopra highlighted the ongoing dilemma for the Indian team management regarding the choice between Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi as the preferred wrist-spinner. Bishnoi played all three games in the T20I series against Afghanistan, claiming two wickets with an economy rate of 10.18.
On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav featured only in the final match, registering figures of 1/31 in three overs. Chopra noted that the decision on the lead spinner is yet to be finalized, and only one of them might get to play in the XI.
Watch- Aakash Chopra on India’s bowling attack
The former opener Aakash Chopra also discussed the uncertainty surrounding India’s seam-bowling combination. With Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah not featuring in the series against Afghanistan, Chopra emphasized that the final selection among the fast bowlers is still pending. He pointed out that Arshdeep Singh has somewhat consolidated his position with impressive performances in the first two matches, while Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan are yet to cement their spots.
Expressing his opinion on the spin-bowling all-rounder slot, Chopra suggested that Deepak Chahar should be included in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. However, he acknowledged that performances in the IPL 2024 would play a significant role in determining the final team.
In the battle between Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, who both played crucial roles against Afghanistan, Aakash Chopra favored Axar Patel. Acknowledging Axar’s consistent performances, Chopra stated that the left-arm spinner has never let the team down and has been economical while picking up wickets. He emphasized Axar’s versatility, contributing with both bat and ball, making him slightly ahead of Jadeja in Chopra’s assessment.
However, Chopra acknowledged that the team management might have a different perspective, considering Jadeja’s vice-captaincy role in the T20I series against South Africa, where Axar was not part of the squad. The final selection for the T20 World Cup promises to be a challenging decision for the Indian think tank as they aim to build a formidable bowling unit for the tournament.