Axar or Kuldeep? India finalizes pick for Chennai Test to partner R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja: Reports

Team India is likely to field Kuldeep Yadav as the third spinner for the first Test against Bangladesh. Axar Patel who has been in fine form will be unlucky to miss out. According to reports doing the rounds in the media, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are set to start as the frontline spinners. 

Chennai is going through hot weather and the pitch could aid turn and bounce. Three spinners have traditionally been India’s go-to card whenever playing at home. During the home series versus England, Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav were rotated. 

It is expected that the Indian team will go in two seam bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah was seen sweating it out in the nets. The star Indian pacer bowled to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in an extended net session. It is likely that Mohammed Siraj may be the 2nd pacer in the team with Akash Deep and Yash Dayal missing out. 

Massive chance for Kuldeep Yadav to prove his worth

Kuldeep Yadav made his Test debut in early 2017 against Australia in Dharamshala. Since then, the left-arm wrist spinner has played in just 12 Test matches. The 29-year-old has picked 53 wickets with 4 fifers and a best of 5/40. Incidentally those figures were recorded against Bangladesh in 2022. 

This year Kuldeep Yadav has played 4 Test matches and picked 19 wickets with a best of 5/72 in Dharamshala. With the bat, Yadav has scored 97 crucial runs with a best of 30 that came against England during the Ranchi Test. 

Axar Patel has had a quiet year with the ball in Test cricket so far. The left-arm spinner has picked just 5 wickets from 2 games with a best of 2/33. With the bat he has scored 133 runs with an average of 33.25 with a best of 45. 

What goes in favor of Kuldeep Yadav is his form in the red ball format. The 29-year-old is the 2nd highest wicket taker for India with Ravindra Jadeja. For the record, R. Ashwin leads the list with 26 wickets for the year. Secondly, Kuldeep Yadav has been seen as a difference maker whenever he comes on to bowl.