Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes that the absence of bowler Kuldeep Yadav has left the Indian cricket team missing a valuable asset in the ongoing second Test against the West Indies. Despite posting a formidable total of 438 runs after being asked to bat first, India’s bowlers faced challenges due to the pitch conditions. Chopra highlighted that playing three fast bowlers wasn’t ideal, and he suggested that spinner Axar Patel should have been included in the XI. He emphasized that Kuldeep Yadav, with his wrist-spinning abilities, would have been beneficial on such pitches, particularly dead ones.
Axar Patel, the third spinner in India’s Test squad, hasn’t been given a chance in the two matches against the West Indies so far. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav was only included in the white-ball fixtures, despite his impressive five-wicket haul in his previous Test against Bangladesh.
Chopra expressed disappointment with the defensive approach of the West Indies batters, which resulted in a lack of competition in the game. He pointed out that only one team seemed eager to win, while the other seemed content with merely playing without focusing on the outcome.
The pitch in Trinidad lacked bounce, and Chopra believes that India needs to up the pace to create chances for a favorable result. With two days of play remaining, he stressed the importance of India scoring quick runs in their second innings to have enough time to bowl out the West Indies in the fourth innings.
Chopra’s observations highlight the significance of having bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, especially on pitches that require variations in spin. The inclusion of wrist-spinners on dead tracks can prove more effective than finger spinners. However, it remains to be seen if the Indian team management will take note of Chopra’s suggestions and make changes accordingly in future matches.
Overall, it is clear that the absence of Kuldeep Yadav has been felt in the ongoing Test, and his inclusion could have had a positive impact on India’s performance. The importance of adaptability when selecting the playing eleven, according to the conditions and requirements of the pitch, cannot be underestimated.
