Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from India’s XI for their Asia Cup opener against UAE comes as a result of pitch conditions favoring seam bowlers rather than spinners. The left-arm wrist spinner, who played a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy victory, has not featured in the national XI since the final against New Zealand in March.
Kuldeep’s Exclusion Due to Dubai Pitch Conditions
Despite not playing in the five-match Test series against England, Kuldeep’s absence in the Asia Cup is not due to team combination issues, but the conditions in Dubai. During India’s first training session at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday, the pitch was observed to have a greenish tinge.
Historically, India has fielded up to four spinners in their XI, but the Dubai pitch is expected to favor seam bowlers more than the dry and slow surfaces which previously supported spin. India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, acknowledged the change, stating, “The surfaces during the Champions Trophy were tired, but the current one has more grass covering. We’ll have a clearer idea once we observe it tonight, and we’ll adapt our strategy accordingly.”
Varun Chakaravarthy as India’s Sole Specialist Spinner
As a result of the pitch conditions, India will be forced to rely on just one specialist spinner in their playing XI. With his proven track record in white-ball cricket, Varun Chakaravarthy is likely to be India’s primary spinner. Axar Patel, being an all-rounder, will provide additional spin, and if necessary, Suryakumar Yadav can contribute with his occasional off-spin.
Morkel also praised Kuldeep’s attitude, “Despite limited opportunities in England, Kuldeep has been professional in his approach and continues to work hard. He’s an experienced player who knows what it takes to stay match-ready.”
Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma Likely to Play
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has placed emphasis on batting depth. In the Champions Trophy, India fielded three all-rounders, with Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel being automatic picks. Shivam Dube, who provides both batting strength and the option of seam-bowling, was a key component in that setup and is likely to be in the XI again.
The spot at number 7, however, will be a close call between Dube and wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma. Based on recent training sessions, Jitesh Sharma seems to have the upper hand over Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper’s role.
India’s Pace Attack to Lead the Charge
India’s pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, who are expected to exploit the grass-covered pitch. While there’s a possibility of a third seamer, Harshit Rana, joining the attack, it is unlikely that India will go that route in their opening match.
As India prepares for their Asia Cup opener, the combination of spinners, all-rounders, and pacers will be dictated by the conditions, with a strong emphasis on seam bowling.
Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on Today Cricket Matches!