Last Update: February 07, 2023, 07:27 IST
A few weeks back, a Ranji Trophy match between Vidarbha and Gujarat at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium saw the visitors lose by 18 runs chasing only 72. batting order, claiming six wickets to hand the hosts an unlikely victory.
About a month later, the Nagpur venue will host the Border-Gavaskar series opener and for obvious reasons, the emphasis will be on a potent spin attack to exploit potentially spin-friendly conditions.
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For India, Ravichandran Ashwin is a sure shot selection while Ravindra Jadeja is probably going to be the next option in the fray. However, there is a fight for the third spinner’s slot between Kuldeep Yadav and Akshar Patel.
Speaking of the selection conundrum, ex India Head coach Ravi Shastri took Kuldeep’s side, saying that being a left-arm wrist spinner gives him an edge over Axar, a skill similar to Jadeja.
As far as the second spinner is concerned, I would like to see Kuldeep playing straight. You have Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar and he is very similar whereas Kuldeep is different. Also, if you lose the toss and want the ball to spin. If there is anyone who can spin the ball on day one, it has to be Kuldeep. star Play network,
“If there is not much in the track, that can come into play. Also, the rough will be made and it will come in handy with the bowling of the Australian and Indian fast bowlers. A wrist spinner can bring that bit further out and spin it both ways. He can take advantage and is important.
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India is the current holder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won the last three series against Australia in 2017, 2018-19 and 2020-21. Australia, on the other hand, are aiming to win a Test series in India after the last time they did so in 2004.
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