Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav (PC-Getty Images)

For the upcoming and eagerly awaited Border-Gavaskar series versus Australia at home, which starts in Nagpur on February 9, choosing the perfect blend of spinners would be one of India captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid’s toughest selection challenges.

With R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, India has four alternatives available. Sunil Joshi, a former top selector, sent a message to Rohit and Dravid in which he instructed them not to consider the situation when choosing spinners and indicated his preferred lineup.

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Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav. Image Credits: Twitter

Kuldeep Yadav’s Been Good In Picking Wickets: Sunil Joshi

Given that Jadeja is eligible for the series and whose inclusion is contingent upon health, Ashwin and Jadeja are the obvious selections according to the pecking order. He had featured in Saurashtra’s last Raji Trophy league match against Tamil Nadu, where he had taken seven wickets in the second innings and bowled 41.1 overs overall, demonstrating his fitness.

Following Kuldeep is Axar, who also serves as Jadeja’s primary substitute should the all-rounder fail the fitness test. Joshi, however, believes that India should select Kuldeep for their starting XI in his interview with ESPNCricinfo.

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“One, because of his form – he’s been good in picking wickets. As a former cricketer, I look more closely at the way he is taking wickets: a spinner getting [the batter] out through the gate bowled, caught at slip, stumped getting to the pitch of the ball, miscuing the ball and getting caught at mid-off, mid-on. These are the areas of dismissal that a spinner would love to take,” he said.

Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav[photo: Twitter]
Kuldeep has only participated in one domestic Test match in the past five years, a Chennai encounter against England from two years ago, where he took two wickets in 6.2 overs in the second innings.

His most recent feats of valour came in the Chattogram Test against Bangladesh, when he grabbed a record five wickets in a successful cause while also displaying his talent with a courageous knock down the order.

Kuldeep Yadav Should Play As The Third Spinner Despite Of Any Conditions: Sunil Joshi

Joshi believes that India should choose Kuldeep instead of considering the conditions since he will play a “big part” in the series.

“If Ashwin is our first option, and if Jadeja is not available, then it should Kuldeep and Axar. If Jaddu is available and they are playing three spinners, Kuldeep should play. Don’t look at the venues or whether our spinners will do well or not at them. Look at the way Kuldeep has picked up wickets.

Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul
Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul
(PC-Getty Images)

In whatever series he has played recently, whether it is red- or white-ball, his dismissals are in the range of [being caught] within the 30-yard circle. That is a great thing for a bowler because it shows you have been very consistent with your line and length. If India have to win against Australia, Kuldeep will play a major part,” he said.

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