Kuldeep Yadav to be sacrificed for Yuzvendra Chahal vs Australia? India's bowling coach shares groundbreaking update

In a significant development, Yuzvendra Chahal could finally get a game in India's last Super 8 match against Australia. Chahal is among the four spinners in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

India has already played three spinners in the tournament, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. While Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are the all-rounders, Kuldeep Yadav is the specialist spinner.

After playing the group stage in New York, where the conditions were highly favourable for the fast bowlers, the action moved to the Caribbean for the Indian team.

The spinners have had a significant role to play in the West Indies, which prompted the Men in Blue to include Kuldeep Yadav in the Playing XI.

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Yuzvendra Chahal to play against Australia?

Now that the tournament is nearing its business end, the pitches are getting slower with every game. This may prompt India to play another spinner, and it could well be time to include Yuzvendra Chahal in the Playing XI.

During the pre-match press conference before India's last Super 8 match against Australia, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said that India's bowling combination depends upon the venues and the pitch.

"It all depends on what surface - I hope the surface won't be that spinner-friendly I think going in yes three spinners, I think just add the balance but I'm not very sure all the other venues. In case, I'm saying I don't look like the surface is going to be that dry and going to turn so much," Mhambrey said.

Mhambrey further mentioned that if there is a lot of wear and tear, then India may opt for another spinner. So, he remained open to the idea of playing another spinner.

"But yeah, if the surface is like that, there's a lot of wear and tear in the wicket Yeah, for a spinner, if you think that's the best option you want to go and enter the game, you might as well go with it," India's bowling coach added.

Spinners have done better in St. Lucia 

Talking about the pitch, St. Lucia has been the best batting venue in the tournament so far in terms of both average (28.76) and scoring rate (8.92). The quicks have struggled on this ground so far and have an economy rate of 9.42, but spinners have done a better job and conceded runs at 7.91 runs per over.

Yuzvendra Chahal made it to India's squad on the back of strong IPL performances. While playing for Rajasthan Royals, he picked up 18 wickets in 15 matches in IPL 2024 at an average of 30.33 and an economy rate of 9.41. With wickets assisting spin, his slow leg-spin bowling could be handy in these conditions.

Yuzvendra Chahal is the only spinner in India's squad not to have played so far. If he plays against Australia, all the spinners in India's squad will be utilised in the match.