• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Axar Patel Or Kuldeep Yadav Aakash Chopra Makes His Choice Ahead Of 1St Test Vs Eng

Axar Patel Or Kuldeep Yadav? Aakash Chopra Makes His Choice Ahead Of 1st Test vs ENG

image-lrrcr0z3Axar Patel [X.com]

With the excitement building towards the first Test of the India versus England series in Hyderabad, starting Thursday (January 25), former opener Aakash Chopra predicted India's likely pick for the third spinner's role and backed left-armer Axar Patel to play above wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. 

Despite an indifferent last home series with the ball against Australia, Axar remains integral to India's playing XI in these conditions as the perfect ally to the famed spin pairing of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. 

Kuldeep is the fourth spinner in the squad picked for the first two Tests of the series and appears unlikely to play despite his rising stature and ability as a left-arm wristspinner, who can be handy to withstand England's 'Bazball' threat with his variety and extra spin. 

Chopra Backs Axar To Play Above Kuldeep 

Axar had a rare off series when Australia visited the Indian shores early last year for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking just three wickets at an average of 62. But the Gujarat tweaker still boasts of a fantastic overall record under his belt and has taken his 50 wickets at just 17.16 apiece. 

Apart from his relentless spin threat, Axar has held an invaluable presence with the bat down the order for India and averages 37 after 12 Tests, including four half-centuries, two of which critically shaped up India's fortunes in the BGT 2023. 

"What should be the team? Which three spinners should play? The heart says loudly to play Kuldeep Yadav because he is a wicket-taker but Axar Patel deserves to be in the playing XI. I feel the three spinners will be Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin," Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 


"Interestingly, all three bat very well, especially in these conditions. So you have batters till No. 9. If you have such good batters, don't expect too much batting for the keeper. If you get it, it's good, but it's not an issue if you don't. Rahul Dravid has already said that KL Rahul won't keep," he explained. 

Axar, who seemingly lost his ability to turn the ball past the right-hander's outside edge during the Australian home series, has since regained best mojo and will be an understated threat for the aggressive English players.