CHENNAI: It was in Southampton, on the eve of India’s fourth Test against England in 2018, that TOI caught up with Shane warne. When a discussion about the Indian spin attack began, the caption asked: “Where is Kuldeep Yadav? I hope Virat plays with him here. “When told that the Chinese had already been sent home, Warne couldn’t believe it.” They should play him whenever there’s a hint of help, it’s an advantage, “Warne said.
Two and a half years have passed since then and Kuldeep’s appearance in the test remains at a dismal six, his last game being in Sydney in January 2019 where he scored 5/99. The spinning wrist has fallen into the hierarchical order with the consistent Ravindra Jadeja sealing its spot as Roulette No. 2 on the side after R Ashwin. But now, with Jadeja unavailable for the first two tests against England in Chennai, there is an opportunity for the team’s management to play with Kuldeep.
There has been talk that Chepauk’s shade, which has not been used for over a year, has a greenish tint. However, it is a fact that much of the vegetation will be cut down once the Indian team starts practicing. Indian pacemakers were fantastic in Australia and there is the option to play three pacemakers and two rotary ones, although the norm at Chepauk is quite the opposite.
Left Arm Finger Spinner Axar patel, who can keep things tight and can get a decent rebound due to his height, has been hired as a direct replacement for Jadeja on the team. “On paper, he’s a peer-to-peer substitute for Jadeja. But we don’t know if Axar is really as effective as Jadeja, who draws a lot of strength from the court. Axar is more of a roller and may not be as effective as Jadeja in a field that does not turn square, “said Sunil Subramaniam, a former coach of India and a renowned spinner in his playing days.
Washington Sundar was also phenomenal in Gabba’s historic Test, but it could be difficult for him to find a spot if Ashwin, who was injured in the same game, is 100% fit. “It is a decision that the team’s leadership will make after evaluating the pitch. If it is two spinners, I would prefer Kuldeep over Axar,” former India leg spinner L Sivaramakrishnan told TOI.
The argument of ex-Chennai spinners is that on good hitting ground, Kuldeep should spell more trouble for English hitters than Axar. A good turn of the wrist gives the batter more time in the air, but it is his subtlety in flight that batters worry about. “In a twist, that extra time in the air that Kuldeep gives could be like gold dust for the English hitters and they’ll take a chance against him, something they might not get against someone like Axar. A few runs here and there makes a great difference in a vaulter, which is not the case in a good throw, “explained Subramaniam.
It is this logic that led the Indian team leadership to play Kuldeep in the Trial of the Lord in 2018, which turned out to be wrong. The breeze was strong and the grounds were wet, making it difficult for Kuldeep to make an impact and others like Jos Buttler he looted it to run. But those variables will be in check in Chennai and Kuldeep will provide the additional variation that is so essential to making an impact.
“Kuldeep has been under the leadership of Ravi Shastri for a long time and I am sure he is ready. I think it is the nature of the field that will decide if India decides to give Kuldeep a chance,” Sivaramakrishnan said.
The final call, of course, will be with virat Kohli and the three days of practice before the Test will decide whether the Chinese bowler gets his seventh Test match four years after his debut.
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