Deep Dasgupta feels that as of now, it’s highly unlikely that the spin-twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will feature together in the T20 World Cup.
In an interaction on his YouTube channel, the former wicketkeeper-batsman said India is likely to put Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Rahul Chahar ahead of the more experienced Yuzvendra Chahal for the marquee competition. He, however, noted that the pecking order could change based on the upcoming Sri Lanka series and the remainder of IPL 2021.
Deep Dasgupta: Rahul Chahar Is Now Ahead Of Yuzvendra Chahal But A Lot Will Depend On IPL 2021 And Sri Lanka Limited Overs Series
Besides poor bowling performances in IPL 2019 and 2020, Kuldeep Yadav also didn’t feature in a single game in the first half of the IPL 2021 and is all but certain to sit out the upcoming T20 World Cup. Hence, the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which will feature most of India’s fringe players, will be critical for him to try and win back his place in India’s first XI. In T20Is his average is an extraordinary 13.77 but he has got limited opportunities, playing 21 T20Is.
“At the moment, it looks unlikely. To be very honest, I see Rahul Chahar ahead of Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal). A lot will depend on the Sri Lanka series and obviously on the IPL as well. As for Kuldeep, he has not been the preferred bowler for more than a year and a half. So, it looks unlikely to me as of now. I don’t know what will happen in six months,” said Deep Dasgupta.
While Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t played a T20I or an IPL game since January 2020, Yuzvendra Chahal was dropped midway through India’s last T20I series and made way for Rahul Chahar. Rahul Chahar has an experience of 3 T20Is where has picked as many wickets. He has also played 38 IPL matches, collecting 41 wickets at a decent average and strike-rate of 24.41 and 19.76 respectively.
In Sri Lanka, Yuzvendra Chahal will lead the spin department and will have support from the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Krunal Pandya, K Gowtham, Rahul Chahar, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Deep Dasgupta: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan To Share The Games
Amid the ongoing debate over who deserves to don the wicketkeeping gloves in Sri Lanka between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, Deep Dasgupta batted for parity of opportunities for both the youngsters.
“I think both of them have earned their stripes, they should share the games in the series. Both of them have an opportunity for the World Cup, so yeah, if they are six matches, both should play [some of them] as wicketkeeper-batsmen,” said Deep Dasgupta.
The India-Sri Lanka series was supposed to start on July 13 but has now been pushed back to July 18 due to a couple of Covid-19 cases that emerged in the host camp. All the players tested negative on Sunday and the first ODI is expected to begin as planned.