Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has said he will prefer playing Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal in India’s World Cup final XI. Manjrekar admitted that both spinners will make it to the World Cup squad.
The renowned commentator also feels it will be unlikely that India will play both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the playing XI, unless there is real weakness in the opposition for playing spin.
“I don’t think so. Very rarely it can happen depending on the opposition. If there is a real weakness in the opposition to play wrist-spin, then you have Kuldeep Yadav and Chahal both playing in the XI,” Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo.
In fact, both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were part of the 2019 World Cup squad. While Yuzvendra Chahal had scalped 12 wickets in eight matches of the edition, Kuldeep Yadav had taken six wickets in seven games.
Manjrekar reasoned that he will prefer a spinner who can get his wickets by making batters push at deliveries, which is Kuldeep Yadav’s strength rather than tempting them to play big shots by bowling wide, which is Yuzvendra Chahal’s way of taking wickets.
“I see Chahal being part of the squad but I prefer Kuldeep Yadav when it comes to wrist-spin as the spinner in 50-over cricket. I am getting a little technical here. You need a spinner who can get wickets of batters while they are pushing, not hitting the big shots,” the former India batter said.
There is no doubt that both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will hold the key for the Indian team in the upcoming ODI World Cup as the conditions will be favorable for spin.
The duo is also part of the upcoming tour of the West Indies, where India will play three ODIs. Kuldeep Yadav has snared 134 wickets in 81 ODI matches whereas Chahal has bagged 121 wickets in 72 matches.
India will begin their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 at Chennai.
