Three arguments in favor of India selecting Axar Patel over Kuldeep Yadav for the first Test match against England. The first Test of England’s five-match series against India began on Thursday, January 25, at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The tour is being conducted by the English cricket team.
After England won the toss and decided to bat first, Indian captain Rohit Sharma disclosed the lineup. India started with Bumrah and Siraj, two-seamers, and then Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, who are all spinners.
India chose to go with Axar instead of Kuldeep Yadav for the third spinner’s berth, and here are three reasons why that was the right move.
Three arguments in favor of India selecting Axar Patel
1. India’s third spinner, Axar Patel, has been a crucial player in the Border Gavaskar Trophy win last year. He is in good form in other formats and fits well into the playing XI. However, choosing Patel ahead of Kuldeep could bring inconsistency in selection, potentially affecting the new set of selectors’ work.
2. The wicket at Hyderabad was expected to be a rank-turner, with England’s team selection including three front-line spinners. Finger spinners draw similar levels of turn-off the wicket, making batters go for it in such venues. Axar has an advantage over Kuldeep due to his better accuracy and control with his finger spin, as wrist spinners tend to bowl a higher amount of loose deliveries.
3. Axar Patel, one of India’s underrated batters, has shown great potential in Test cricket, particularly in the recent home series against Australia. Despite not having the best outings, he was the best batter, scoring 264 runs in five innings and finishing with the highest batting average. Patel is a skilled spinner, making him a suitable choice for England’s left-arm spinners and leg spinners. India’s decision to pick Axar over Kuldeep is a testament to his exceptional batting skills.
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