"Kuldeep Yadav is a tempting option, Axar Patel gives batting depth.."- Rohit Sharma's bombshell on India's 3rd spinner for Hyderabad Test
The first Test between India and England in the five-match Test series is set to commence on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has dropped a hint on who would be in the playing XI for the first Test between Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. India has won 16 consecutive Test series at home since the defeat against England in 2012.
Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav both are quality spinners but Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are already present in the squad which means only one of the former two will get the opportunity to play in the first Test. Axar Patel was the second-highest wicket-taker for India in the Test series against England in 2021 which was played at home. He took 27 scalps in three matches with four five-wicket hauls to his name. On the other, hand Kuldeep Yadav has shown some great form for the Indian Team in recent times.
Rohit Sharma talked about Kuldeep Yadav???s maturity as a bowler and his variations saying, ???Kuldeep gives you a certain X-factor with his bowling. If the wicket has bounce and even if it doesn???t, Kuldeep becomes a big factor. He has superb variations, he is a mature blower now.???
Reckoning Kuldeep Yadav is a tempting option, the Indian skipper also said that Axar Patel offers batting depth to the squad. He said, ???Kuldeep is a tempting option but at the same time, Axar gives batting depth. And the consistency he has shown over the last few matches playing here in India is huge???
Rohit Sharma Talks Positively About Both Axar Patel And Kuldeep Yadav
???Kuldeep is a Mature Bowler Now???: Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma on Kuldeep vs Axar
Axar Patel also has a better Test match experience than Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test match in 2022 December against Bangladesh whereas Axar Patel featured in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2023. Axar Patel has played 12 Test matches for India whereas Kuldeep Yadav has only played eight. Axar Patel has already taken 50 wickets in his Test career at a stunning average of 17.16 whereas Kuldeep Yadav has taken 34 wickets in his Test career at an average of 21.56.
India will be hosting England in a five-match Test series starting in Hyderabad followed by Tests in Vishakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala. It will be interesting to see who makes it to the playing XI between Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. With the conditions and situations prevailing, Axar Patel is likely to be the first choice ahead of Kuldeep Yadav.
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Axar Patel England tour of India 2024 IND vs ENG 2024 India National Cricket Team India vs England 2024 Kuldeep Yadav Rohit Sharma
