Aakash Chopra (Source: Twitter)
Star wrist-spinner of the Indian team, Kuldeep Yadav, despite being selected in the 16-member squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, couldn’t make the cut. This had nothing to do with him being out of form or any other related issue, but was a decision stemming from the temptation to play three pacers on a surface that originally seemed to favor the seamers more.
Former India cricketer, Aakash Chopra, mentioned the only strategy one could use to prepare a pitch with black soil and analyzed under what conditions could Kuldeep get into the XI.
“You can do only one thing on a black soil pitch – put grass and leave moisture. Then the ball moves decently for the first one to one-and-a-half days. If they make such a pitch, which they did in Chennai, they might have to play three fast bowlers. However, if it’s a typical Kanpur surface, low, slow, and slightly spin-friendly, Kuldeep Yadav has to play,” stated Chopra in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Chopra further suggested that it could be either Akash Deep or Japrit Bumrah who could make their way out to incorporate Kuldeep into the setup.
“It could be a straight swap, a fast bowler out and Kuldeep Yadav in. If there is no workload management, Akash Deep is out, and Kuldeep is in. If Bumrah has to rest, both Akash Deep and Kuldeep might play. Other than that, I don’t think there is a scope for a change in the team,” mentioned Aakash.
I see Taijul Islam playing: Chopra
The former India opener also predicted one change he felt was warranted – the inclusion of left-arm spinner, Taijul Islam, into the group. Chopra complemented Taijul and also listed down a few such spinners who have tormented the Indian batting order in the past.
“Firstly, Shakib Al Hasan’s availability is not known. There is no final verdict yet whether he is playing or not. He is nursing an injury. If he is available, he will play, otherwise, he will not. I see Taijul Islam playing. He is a left-arm spinner and he has troubled us a lot as well. He bowls very long spells. He bowls 30 overs in a day. Left-arm spinners – even Ajaz Patel, Matthew Kuhnemann and Steve O’Keefe troubled us. All left-arm spinners trouble us. You will have to be slightly wary of Taijul Islam, although his recent form is not very good at all,” added Chopra.
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In the six Tests Taijul has played against India, his figures read 231.4 overs, conceding 762 runs and taking 12 wickets. His actual performance has been way better than the numbers suggest, and a spinner of his nature would be ideal for Bangladesh to unleash against India to have any hope of giving the hosts a run for their money.