Former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane believes India should play two spinners in the ODI series against New Zealand. India didn’t back their spinners in the T20I series against the Kiwis and played Axar Patel in the first four games.
Varun Chakravarthy replaced the spin-bowling all-rounder in the final game of the series. However, Kuldeep Yadav didn’t play a single game in the series. Rahane wants India to give chance to Kuldeep Yadav in the ODI series.
Interestingly, New Zealand spinners were able to get assistance in the first couple of games.
“The Indian team might go with two spinners. Axar Patel will definitely play because he is an all-rounder and can bat as well. I want to see Kuldeep Yadav get a chance in the ODI series. He is a wicket-taker. I wanted to see him in the T20Is as well, but he couldn’t play,” Rahane said on SonyLiv.
“However, I am sure Team India will go with two spinners in the ODIs. Since Nitish Kumar Reddy is playing just one match, they will have to set the combination properly. That’s the first match. So you can try Kuldeep Yadav there,” Rahane observed.
Meanwhile, Auqib Nabi Dar recently replaced injured Prasidh Krishna in the ODI squad and Rahane said the Jammu and Kashmir pacer will get help in the New Zealand conditions.
“Prasidh Krishna is unfortunate that he is going through an injury because he has done well recently in whatever chances he has gotten, whether it’s Tests or ODIs. However, if someone is injured, someone else gets an opportunity. So, it’s an opportunity for Auqib Nabi. These conditions might be useful for him,” he said.
“We get to see swing and seam movement in New Zealand, and Auqib Nabi is a seam bowler who bowls consistently in good areas. If you see along with him, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are experienced, Gurnoor Brar has come recently in the team, and Anshul Kamboj is also getting chances recently. All four have an opportunity to do well,” Rahane observed.
India will next take on New Zealand in a five-match ODI series.
