Last Update: February 08, 2023, 14:31 IST
Rohit Sharma and Akshar Patel during the Chennai Test match.
India skipper Rohit Sharma said his four spinners are looking in top form, adding that Axar Patel had created havoc when he last played against England in home conditions.
With the Border Gavaskar Trophy just over, the discussion has once again effectively turned to the quality of the spin bowling and in particular the likely team combination for the first Test in Nagpur. Talking to the media, India Captain Rohit Sharma said that they have quality spinners.
“All four spinners are quality, Jadeja and Ashwin have played well together, and Akshar and Kuldeep have done well whenever they have got the chance,” he added.
“The last time Akshar played in India he took wickets, (36) that’s a lot of wickets,” he said.
He was referring to Akshar’s match-winning performances in 2021 when England toured India. India won the trophy 3–1 in the four-match series.
Meanwhile, India will now take on Australia in a five-match series which begins on February 9 at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur. But the biggest decision for Rohit will be choosing between Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, though the Gujarat player looks to be the favorite for the position.
There is a theory that India may play four spinners and Ravichandran Ashwin may be handed the new ball. But on a pitch that is dry on both sides, reverse swing can come into play and both Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj can deflect that old ball in opposite directions.
For Australia, it seems, Ashton Agar, with superior lower-order batting abilities, will nod ahead of Mitchell Swepson as Lyon’s spin partner, as Scott Boland looks set to share the new ball with his captain.
The Australian team is loaded with left-handed batsmen and four of them – David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Alex Carey – are almost certain to feature. The two right-handed batsmen will be Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
But in the absence of Cameron Green, the choice for an additional batsman will be between right-armer Peter Handscombe and southpaw Matt Renshaw.
For bookies, the series will be a nightmare as the odds can change wildly in case of a few deliveries. All eyes will certainly be on the Australian middle-order, who have traditionally struggled to deal with the turn on offer. Poor scores in the first Test match can sap the energy quickly as far as the spectators are concerned.
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