Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has wondered if India can play the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel together in their second match of the World Cup against Namibia. India had played with Varun and Axar in the opening game against the USA and Chopra reckons India might need one more spinner against Pakistan.
Thus, he questioned if the team can play the spin trio together against Namibia. Chakravarthy is India’s number one choice spinner in the T20I format whereas Axar Patel is the team’s vice-captain. While Chakravarthy, the number one T20I bowler in the ICC rankings, returned with 1-24 against the USA, Patel bagged 2-24 in his quota of four overs.
“Can we play with Kuldeep, Varun and Axar? Can we play all three together as we will need that team against Pakistan? It’s something they might want to think about.” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah practiced with the team on Tuesday but Chopra said the gun fast bowler didn’t just have fever, there was one more issue with him before the match against the USA.
“Jasprit Bumrah has started bowling, but may or may not play. There is no guarantee that he will play because he didn’t have just a fever, there was something else with him as well. That’s what I heard. It’s slightly privileged information. So I am not going to share with you. However, 100 percent clarity is still not there over his fitness, whether he will play or not,” he observed.
Abhishek Sharma is doubtful for the match against Namibia as he is recovering from a stomach upset and thus Sanju Samson can be considered.
“Abhishek Sharma has a slight problem. It’s being said that he had a fever in the last match as well, had a stomach problem, but he played. No one is sitting outside. He didn’t come for the practice session,” he said.
“Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan batted as a pair. They are still waiting on Abhishek Sharma’s fitness, but no one knows thus far whether he will play or not. If he doesn’t play, Sanju Samson will certainly play,” Chopra observed.
India will next take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi,on Thursday.
