IND against ENG: “Harbhajan Singh’s Choice for Third Spinner in Opening Test: Backing Kuldeep Yadav” The upcoming Test match between India and England has stirred up excitement and anticipation among cricket enthusiasts. The focus is on India’s playing XI as they get ready to play at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad, especially the pivotal choice of the third spinner. With Virat Kohli absent, Rohit Sharma’s leadership will rely on a tried-and-tested lineup that has not witnessed a Test series loss on home soil for over 11 years.
The Spin Dilemma: Kuldeep or Axar?
In the midst of a seemingly settled playing XI, the only debate centers around the choice of the third spinner.The triumph of India in the Test series has been largely attributed to the dynamic duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are also talented members of the team, thus there will be a tight competition for the desired slot.
Harbhajan Singh‘s Perspective: The Wrist Spin Advantage
Renowned Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the debate, advocating for Kuldeep Yadav as the preferred choice. Singh emphasizes how Kuldeep, a wrist spinner, may give the bowling stroke a unique twist. In Singh’s view, the skillsets of Jadeja and Axar are remarkably similar, rendering the need for an additional batting cover at number nine unnecessary.
“Look, the way I look at it is that when both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are in the playing eleven and you are looking at a third specialist spinner, it should be Kuldeep. Because Kuldeep as a wrist spinner will bring that variation. But I believe Axar’s selection in Test matches is purely on his batting skills. At No 8 or 9, he can bat and that’s what he brings to the table,” explains Harbhajan Singh.
While acknowledging Axar’s superior batting skills compared to Kuldeep, Singh questions the logic of having an identical skill set at number nine, negating the aspect of variation in the bowling attack. For Singh, Kuldeep’s wrist-spinning prowess makes him the ideal choice for the third spinner role.
Harbhajan’s Prediction: Axar’s Edge on Rank Turners
Despite his preference for Kuldeep, Harbhajan Singh anticipates that the series being played on rank turners might sway the decision towards Axar Patel. Axar’s ability to “target shoot” with the ball is praised by Singh, who notes that this is the primary reason why he might be selected. He emphasizes the difficulties the batting unit would encounter on turning tracks and the necessity of a longer tail—a function that Axar can successfully perform.
“On turners, you need a ‘target shooter.’ One who would just keep on bowling wicket to wicket, hitting more or less the same length over after over. On turners, you won’t need to turn or show variations to get wickets. When it comes to that discipline, Axar is fantastic at target hitting and hence he remains favorite,” Singh asserts.
Player Insights: Kuldeep’s Test Hiatus and Axar’s Home Dominance
Kuldeep Yadav, despite not having played a Test match for India in over a year, showcased his prowess in the series opener against Bangladesh in December 2022, where he secured a remarkable five-wicket haul. The 29-year-old has proven his worth in the longest format with eight Test outings at 34 wickets.
On the other hand, Axar Patel has been a consistent presence in the home test lineup since his debut series against England. Although he hasn’t played a Test for India since March 2023, Axar’s stellar debut series and his all-round capabilities make him a compelling candidate for the third spinner role.
A fascinating dimension is added to the story as the cricket community eagerly anticipates the first Test match between India and England thanks to the selection of the third spinner. The differences between Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are highlighted by Harbhajan Singh’s observations, which begs the issue of whether the squad will stick with Axar’s skill with rank turners or go with wrist-spin variation.
In this gripping spin saga, the decision ultimately lies in the hands of the team management, who must balance the historical success of the existing lineup with the potential dynamism offered by Kuldeep Yadav. As the cricketing community holds its breath, the stage is set for a captivating battle between bat and ball at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.