Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav: Who will be a better spin option in Chennai?
Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav: Although there is no shortage of spinners in India, the captain and team management are finding it difficult to choose the best players for the first test match against Bangladesh, which is scheduled to begin on September 19, as Kuldeep and Axar have been added to the squad for the Bangladesh Test series. Since players like Ashwin and Jadeja are already part of the squad, three spinners will likely be used in the first test, which is why one of Kuldeep or Axar will have to sit out.
The two-match test series against Bangladesh is really going to test the Indian team before the New Zealand and Australia series. The first test match is being played in MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where we can expect a lot of turn, and that is why India might go with three or even try out four spinners considering the pitch conditions.
The Indian team already has two spinners fixed in the form of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin and now the third spinner is where the management is hesitant to reveal the perfect third spinner for the Indian team. The interesting point here is Kuldeep is more of a spinner, while Axar Patel can be handy with the bat as he has shown excellent batting skills in the past.
Who is India’s Third Spinner – Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel?
Kuldeep Yadav Test Match Stats So Far;
Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, has impressive bowling stats in Tests, with 53 wickets at an economy of 3.40 in 22 innings. His ability to extract turn and deceive batters makes him a potent weapon, especially on turning tracks.
- Bowling = 22 innings, 53 wickets with a bowling economy of 3.40.
- Batting = 15 innings, 191 runs with a batting average of 13.64
Axar Patel Test Match Stats So Far;
Axar Patel, on the other hand, brings more all-round value. With 55 wickets at a superior economy of 2.51 in 27 innings, Axar is more economical. What sets him apart is his batting 646 runs at an average of 52.30, making him a dependable lower-order batter.
- Bowling = 27 innings, 55 wickets with a bowling economy of 2.51
- Batting = 22 innings, 646 runs with a batting average of 52.30
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Conclusion: Who Will Play as the Third Spinner for India against Bangladesh?
Axar’s batsmanship could give him the advantage if India decides on a balanced strategy, while Kuldeep offers greater variation given Chennai’s spin-friendly pitch. The captain might even choose to use four spinners, which would certainly be a major help but could be expensive if the surface starts to favor helping the pacers. So, there is a lot of uncertainty about the identity of India’s third spinner for this first-class match in Chennai versus Bangladesh.
