Left with little choice and team India grapples with the challenge of abundance
It’s a dilemma of abundance, one that India could have done without.
The decision-making process for Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma is anything but straightforward.
Choosing between Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav presents a complex challenge that could significantly impact the outcome of the third Test against England, scheduled to begin at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday.
“I am not certain about my position because there are still two days left for the game.
If I get the opportunity, I will be more than happy.
I do not dwell too much on whether I am playing or not – I simply enjoy my day and keep working hard, and that is my approach,” Kuldeep remarked on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the Test.
Kuldeep’s impactful performance in the second Test in Visakhapatnam, where he claimed four crucial wickets, particularly in the first innings, has propelled him into contention.
However, his chance arose primarily due to Jadeja’s absence.
With Jadeja’s potential return, the selection dilemma intensifies.
“Hopefully, yes,” responded Jadeja when asked about his possible comeback to the Test XI in Rajkot, his hometown.
“That’s why I am here.
I want to give my 100 percent and avoid diving where it is not necessary.”
So, where does this leave Kuldeep and Axar, and who will earn the nod?
In an ideal and traditional cricketing scenario, Kuldeep would be the frontrunner.
He adds a unique dimension to the attack with his left-arm leg-spin and knack for surprising batsmen with his googlies.
However, Axar has also made a strong case for himself, not only with the ball but also with the bat.
Axar’s reputation as a reliable batsman has grown, evidenced by his batting at No. 5 in the Hyderabad Test, ahead of even a specialist like Shreyas Iyer and Jadeja himself.
His contributions with the bat have been significant, with scores of 44, 17, 27, and 45 in the four innings he has batted.
Moreover, with 133 runs, he stands as the sixth-highest run-scorer in the series from either side and ranks as the third-highest scorer for India.
Coupled with his five wickets, Axar’s all-round performance presents a compelling case, especially when India’s batting lineup is relatively inexperienced.
However, if the team management opts to leave out Kuldeep, it would be a disservice to the spinner, who has faced similar exclusions in the past.
Notably, in Bangladesh in 2022, despite delivering a match-winning performance in Dhaka, Kuldeep found himself sidelined for the next Test.
In that match, he had claimed eight wickets and 40 runs, only to be dropped for the subsequent game four days later.
In a career spanning seven years, Kuldeep has played only nine Tests, with just four at home, where his style of bowling should ideally suit the conditions.
He acknowledges the importance of team balance but also expresses regret at not playing more matches on home soil.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to play on rank turners.
I did not feature in the last series (the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February-March last year) at home.
So, I am not sure what our approach or thinking would be.
Ultimately, it’s the team management’s decision.
Everyone wants to witness good cricket.
For that to happen, it’s crucial that the wickets are conducive,” Kuldeep remarked.
STOKES ON KOHLI’s ABSENCE
Meanwhile, Ben Stokes refrained from viewing Virat Kohli’s absence from the series as an advantage or benefit.
“I don’t see it as a benefit to us or a disadvantage to India because there are specific reasons why he’s not playing in the series, and I think it should be left at that, rather than labeling it as an advantage or disadvantage to any side.
Obviously, I extend my wishes to Virat and everything that’s going on; all our well wishes from the team.
But ideally, you want the best players on the field. Virat is certainly one of them,” remarked the England captain.
Kohli is absent from the series due to a family emergency and has obtained permission from the BCCI to skip the series.
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