IND vs NZ: IND vs NZ T20 Series: India Spinner’s battle – India are all set to embark on a new era in the T20 format under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy versus New Zealand. One area that everyone will be keen to watch out for is the spin department. It was this area that India had been found wanting in T20 World Cup 2022. With Ravi Ashwin not there, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal now have a golden chance to establish themselves as the number-one spinner in the T20 format. Follow IND vs NZ Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
IND vs NZ: Battle of spinners as Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal keen to establish themselves as number one spinner in the T20 format
IND vs NZ: Chahal, Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav have a great chance to be a permanent member of the playing XI – With Ashwin unlikely to play in the T20 format in the future, mission T20 World Cup 2024 begins. Chahal, Kuldeep, & Sundar have been given a chance in the New Zealand T20 series to prove their worth. A good T20 team cannot be complete without great spin bowlers. India realized it the hard way in the T20 World Cup.
By staking the squad with three spinners, Board is clear – it is keen to identify the lead spinner. Not too long ago, Chahal was the lead spinner. But by benching him all six matches of the T20 World Cup, the leg spinner lost that tag. Injuries have had a fair say in Kuldeep and Sundar’s case, as the duo missed out on playing games for a major part of 2022. But with the two back for the New Zealand T20 series, they have a good opportunity to prove their mettle.
Here at InsideSport, we decode each of India’s full-time spin bowling option
1. Yuzvendra Chahal
For the longest time, Chahal was looked at as the team’s first-choice spinner in 2022. It came as a shocker that the leg spinner did not get to play even one game. Leg spinners like Adil Rashid, Shadab Khan, and Ish Sodhi managed to have an impact in the showpiece event by taking wickets in the middle overs. Not playing Chahal cost India World Cup. With Ashwin not there, the Royals player will get to play matches against New Zealand.
In T20Is in 2022, Chahal has scalped over 20 wickets at an economy rate of 6 runs per over. His record against New Zealand is decent, as he has picked up eight wickets. But in New Zealand, it is not that great, as the leg spinner has taken only 3 wickets in five games. This time, Chahal would be eager to correct that record.
IND vs NZ: Battle of spinners as Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal keen to establish themselves as number one spinner in the T20 format
2. Washington Sundar
Touted as the ideal replacement for Ashwin, Sundar finally will begin his full-time T20 journey versus New Zealand. The Tamil Nadu youngster is a handy bowler, who concedes runs below six runs per over in T20Is in power play. The southpaw is also a pretty handy lower-order batter and can be used as a floater too. Sundar’s biggest strength is he bowls well in power play. His two overs upfront are pretty difficult to get away with. The off-spinner has played 31 T20Is and picked up 25 wickets at an economy of 7.
With Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Ashwin not there, it is a good chance for Sundar to establish himself as the number-one off-spinner in the T20 format.
3. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav went from India’s number all-format spinner to a flop show in quick time. A few bad series as well as a bad IPL season for KKR compounded to his miseries. But a stellar IPL 2022 season with Capitals, as well as a good T20 series against West Indies has given a fresh lease of life to Kuldeep. The Capitals spinner picked up 21 wickets in IPL 2022 season, and get his mojo back.
The Chinaman’s variations were in full display as he bamboozled opponents with googlies and flippers. Kuldeep is touted to be given a longer run in team India. If DC spinner manages to show his magic in the national team, then it would be difficult to stop him.
IND vs NZ: Battle of spinners as Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal keen to establish themselves as number one spinner in the T20 format
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Editors pick
