The head coach of Team India, Rahul Dravid, has acknowledged that either Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal might feature in the starting lineup for their Super 8 match against Afghanistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup on Thursday, June 20.
Dravid pointed out that the conditions in Barbados are anticipated to favour spin bowling more than in New York, where seamers had a significant advantage. The Indian team competed in their initial three group matches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Their upcoming Super 8 match against Afghanistan will take place at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Leading up to this match, several critics have advised India to include an additional spinner in their starting eleven, considering the playing conditions.
Ahead of India’s first Super 8 match, Rahul Dravid acknowledged that the management was also considering this suggestion. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he stated, as reported by PTI:
“It’s tough to leave anyone out. New York had pace bowlers conditions… slightly different. We might need something different here (in Barbados). Yuzi (Chahal) or Kuldeep (Yadav) could be used here. We are lucky to have players with all-round abilities. We had eight batters but we (also) had seven bowling options.”
India have shown adaptability in their batting lineup during the T20 World Cup. In the game against Pakistan, Axar Patel was elevated to the fourth position following early dismissals. The head coach of India mentioned that the batting order will remain flexible, adjusted according to the prevailing conditions.
“Each situation is unique. Can’t set it in stone. I believe in flexibility. The Pakistan game we moved Axar (Patel), specifically thinking around it… Rishabh (Pant) up the order (at No. 3), lots of thinking goes into it. I don’t think in Tests (cricket), we will have that flexibility. In T20s where it is a lot about match-ups, you see it happening more,” he explained.
While Pant has performed admirably at third position, Axar made a significant contribution with a vital 20 runs from 18 balls in the victory against Pakistan.
“They are not a team that should be taken lightly” – Dravid comments on Afghanistan
India will enter their Super 8 match against Afghanistan as the favored team, having maintained an unbeaten record against them in T20I matches. However, Dravid emphasized that the Indian team should not underestimate Afghanistan, as they pose a significant threat in T20 cricket.
“Certainly, in this format, they are not a team that should be taken lightly and they are deservedly in the Super 8s. We will not treat them any differently as we would treat any other team we expect to play in the Super 8s,” he commented.
Afghanistan secured their spot in the Super 8 stage with three consecutive victories in the group phase but suffered a 104-run defeat to West Indies in St Lucia.
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