India will play Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav together in the T20 World Cup if necessary, captain Suryakumar Yadav stated on Friday, calling the selection dilemma involving the two spinners a “very good headache.”
Kuldeep and Chakravarthy both participated in India’s final five-match series against New Zealand prior to the T20 World Cup, but they only played together in the second Twenty20 International in Raipur.
“It is an added advantage that you have such good bowlers available. But at the same time, you also have to look at the combination, whom do you play against a certain opposition,” PTI quoted Suryakumar telling the media on the eve of their T20 World Cup opener against the USA in Mumbai.
“If there is a need that we can play two spinners, (or) two wrist spinners, then we will definitely play (them). But yes, it is always good to have options like Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, two (of the) best spinners in the world and it is a very good headache,” he added.
Since Chakravarthy and Kuldeep are not known to swing the willow when the situation demands, the Indian team’s propensity for a deep batting order has frequently prevented them from playing together.
With Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma slated to open the innings, the Indian captain once again claimed that having more left-handed hitters than right-handers is a “good headache.”
“Are you enjoying watching the fours and sixes being hit or not?” when asked if that was a problem for the team management, Suryakumar responded.
“I think it is a good headache and I feel it is an over-rated conversation. At this stage, when you have played so much cricket against the left-arm spinners or off-spinners, whatever it is, you have played enough cricket and you (also) have practiced a lot. On a given day, irrespective of a spinner is bowling or a fast bowler is bowling to two left-handers or two right-handers, your job is to do what you (can) do (for) the best for the team and that is what is happening,” he added.
Ishan will open the innings because of his current form, Suryakumar acknowledged.
“Definitely. The way he played cricket in the last five T20Is, because they were international matches it (his performance) came up (noticed) so much,” Suryakumar said.
“He batted similarly in the (Syed) Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and he has carried the same here. He got an opportunity at No. 3 and then he opened in the warm-up match (against South Africa).” “I hope he continues to bat like this at whatever position he plays — he’s not going to bat below No.3 — but whatever opportunity comes his way, he should bat the same way,” he added.
While playing at home, Suryakumar acknowledged that there would be “added pressure,” but he wanted to look at the bright side.
“When you are playing at home, there is always an added pressure. I am not running away from the fact. There will be nerves (and) there will be pressure. But if you see the positive side of it, there will be a lot of cheer around. There is no double thought that we have been playing good cricket. But at the same time, you have to be in the present,” he said.
India’s infrequent opportunities to play smaller countries are a drawback, according to Suryakumar, who also stated that the only method for the batters to read bowlers from these nations is via viewing the recordings.
“We do see a lot of videos. We don’t play them often but we have a lot of preparations going on. We have bowlers’ (and) batters’ meeting. We see the bowlers (and then) we play similar kind of fast bowlers when we are practicing in the nets,” he said.
“There are a lot of preparations behind it. Though we have a disadvantage that we don’t get to play these nations, but you have to be prepared. At this level, there is no excuse.”
The Indian captain reaffirmed that he prefers to be referred to as a “leader” rather than a “captain.”
“…it does feel a little over-rated to be called captain. Being called a leader feels good, gives the feeling of a leader. But when being called a captain, a little complacency comes in. It’s a good opportunity to lead such a good group on the home soil and starting the campaign at Wankhede (Stadium),” he said.
