Why India should opt for triple spin option in IND vs BAN 2nd Test in Kanpur?

The IND vs BAN 1st Test is over and now the focus shifts to the Kanpur Test. And the India Cricket Team will be wary of the turning track conditions in Kanpur. The Green Park Stadium is notoriously known to assist the spinners which will be prompting both Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir into playing 3 spinners. So now the question arises – Who makes the cut? Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav.

It is without an iota of doubt that Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja would be dropped or rested. The two all-rounders proved their worth in the IND vs BAN 1st Test in Chennai. First the duo played a brilliant recovery innings after the top order collapse. And then in the second innings, the duo scalped 9 wickets to ensure a 280 run win for India.

In Chennai, India opted for a pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. But the trident of pace attack might not be witnessed in Kanpur. The slow turning track would heaven for the spinners and Rohit Sharma is likely to go for an extra spinner in place of a fast bowler.

Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav?

No Kanpur won’t be rank turner where India will feature 4 spinners. But the turn from the pitch can be expected as early as on Day 1 itself. Here poses a big question for India. Who will be best option in such a scenario? The highly dependable Axar Patel or the efficient Kuldeep Yadav.

Both the players come with different sets of abilities. While Kuldeep comes in as a specialist spinner, Axar comes on an all-rounder. While Kuldeep Yadav has an edge over Axar in his bowling prowess, the all-round skills of the latter however negates the former.

If India considers from the attacking front, then Kuldeep would be the go to option. On the other hand, Axar’s ability to bat and counter Bangladeshi spinner’s makes him a good option is India doesn’t take an overly aggressive approach to the game.