Pragyan Ojha Snubs Kuldeep Yadav As He Picks India's Three Spinners For T20 World Cup 2024

Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha believes that Kuldeep Yadav will not make it into the national team for the T20 World Cup 2024. Pragyan Ojha has picked Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel as his preferred spinners over Kuldeep Yadav in the squad.

Ravindra Jadeja is absent from India’s squad in the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan. Jadeja may have rested in preparation for the upcoming five Tests against England. Kuldeep Yadav, who is in the squad, didn’t get a chance in the XI for the first two games.

The team management opted for Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar as their three spinners for the two games. Axar (4) stands as the leading wicket-taker in the series, while Bishnoi secured one wicket, and Sundar remained wicketless in both matches.

Ravindra Jadeja Carries A Lot Of Experience – Pragyan Ojha

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Pragyan Ojha emphasized Ravindra Jadeja’s wealth of experience, naming him as his first choice. Following Jadeja, Ojha selected Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel as the other spinners in India’s World Cup squad.

“Three for me. No. 1 Ravindra Jadeja – he carries a lot of experience. After that, (Ravi) Bishnoi for me. The third is Axar Patel, considering the cleverness he shows,” Ojha said.

“The way he bowls and bats, he is also a match-winner. Whenever he has the bat or ball in his hand, he makes the match for you,” he added.

Axar has secured the Player of the Match award in three out of his last four T20Is, including the recent game against Afghanistan. Despite his contributions, Axar was omitted from the T20I squad for the South African tour, with Ravindra Jadeja selected ahead of him.

Kuldeep Yadav And Axar Patel For Sure – Suresh Raina

Former Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina selected Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel as the two spinners in the playing XI. Raina suggested that Yuzvendra Chahal could earn a spot in the squad if he performs well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

“Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel for sure. I feel Yuzvendra Chahal is another option, depending on how he does this year in the IPL. The way he releases the ball, he is a different type of match-winner,” Suresh Raina said.

Yuzvendra Chahal holds the record as India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, securing 96 dismissals in 80 games with an economy rate of 8.19. The leg spinner will play for the Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming IPL 2024. He was the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the previous edition, claiming 21 wickets with a decent economy of 8.18.

Also read: ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Not Kuldeep Yadav Or Yuzvendra Chahal! Sunil Gavaskar Names First-Choice Spinner For WC