Former Indian cricketer and full-time pundit Aakash Chopra has backed star spinner Kuldeep Yadav to pip youngster Ravi Bishnoi for a place in Team India’s squad for the ICC World T20 2022. The 2022 edition of the World Cup will be hosted by defending champions Australia. Bishnoi, who is having a dream run in the shortest format, was recently named in Team India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2022.
While the exciting young talent can spearhead the spin attack of India with Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin at the Asia Cup 2022, spinner Kuldeep is set to ply his trade with the second-string Indian side in the Zimbabwe series. Spin wizard Kuldeep was roped in for the One Day International (ODI) series alongside bowling all-rounder Axar Patel.
Team India is likely to face arch-rivals Pakistan twice at the Asia Cup 2022. The Indian think is expected to tinker with the squad for the T20 World Cup after the conclusion of the Asia Cup. Sharing a video on his YouTube channel, former Indian cricketer Chopra explained why Kuldeep has an edge over young spinner Bishnoi in the shortest format.
“If there is a race between Bishnoi and Kuldeep, I will tilt towards Kuldeep. I love Ravi Bishnoi but Kuldeep gives me more variety. If you are searching for a wicket-taker, then a different left-arm, a little flighted, a different style of bowling. Ravi Bishnoi – he is part of the Asia Cup as well, you have picked two leg-spinners, different kinds of leg-spinners. Bishnoi has played nine matches since the World Cup, he has picked up 15 wickets,” Chopra said.
Chopra hailed Bishnoi as a wicket-taking bowler and pointed out that the econominal spinner bagged 13 wickets for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) despite not having a great season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. “Think about Kuldeep Yadav as well. He has played only two matches since the World Cup in which he has picked up three wickets. But he picked up 21 wickets in 14 matches in the IPL. It’s not about who is better but it’s about what you want, the selectors, captain and Rahul Dravid have to think about that,” he added.
