Danish Kaneria Names The Young Leg-Spinner Who Should Have Been Selected In India's World Test Championship Final Squad

Former Pakistan leggie Danish Kaneria has pointed out a chink in India’s strong 20-man squad for the World Test Championship final. The BCCI selected a 20-member party for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton and the following Test series against England. As for Danish Kaneria, he feels India should have opted for at least one leg-spinner and reveals who should have made it.

India’s 20-man squad set to leave for England in early June has four finger spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar. All four have proved their worth in home conditions with the ball and bat, with the BCCI backing them to deliver in England. Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra also felt India should have opted for a leg-spinner since England struggle against them.

Danish Kaneria pointed out that Rahul Chahar should have earned the nod as the height with which he delivers could have been useful. The Karachi-born cricketer underlined that New Zealand has a tall leggie in Ish Sodhi, while Virat Kohli struggles against Adam Zampa. Hence, Kaneria feels that Rahul Chahar, who has played for the Mumbai Indians and has googly, flipper and leg-spin, could have proved useful. He also claimed that with Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav being inconsistent, this was the right time to groom Chahar for Tests.

“Rahul Chahar, his height, the way he delivers the ball, he should have been in the team. New Zealand has Ish Sodhi, a tall leg spinner and Virat Kohli always struggles against a leg spinner as we saw it with Zampa. So, I feel if there is a place open for a leg spinner than Chahar, who has played for Mumbai Indians and India and has performed well, has googly, flipper and leg-spin, could have been useful. Yuzvendra Chahal is a senior bowler but he is struggling with form, Kuldeep Yadav is lacking confidence so Chahar is one player, who can be groomed for Test cricket as well and he can be very useful” Kaneria told PTI.

Where there are seam conditions, a leg spinner is very useful: Danish Kaneria

Danish Kaneria commented that having a wrist-spinner is quite useful in seaming conditions and credited the same for his successful tenure in county cricket. The 40-year old believes that off-spinners can contain the runs; however, the veteran thinks having a leggie proves impactful.

“Where there are seam conditions, a leg spinner is very useful and that’s why I had a successful tenure when I played county cricket. So, it is a little concerning that there is no leg spinner in the team. Finger spinners can contain but having a finger spinner and a wrist spinner can make an impact on the team,” he added.

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