India’s group stage games were finally concluded after the wash off against Canada at Lauderhill in Florida. This marks the end of the US leg for the Indians who will now be playing all their Super 8 games in the Caribbean islands.
The Indian contingent consists of four spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal who were picked in the squad keeping the pitches of the Caribbean in mind.
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When the squad was released by the BCCI, a lot of fans questioned the selection of four spinners, Rohit made it clear that he won’t be revealing the reason for picking up spinners now, but he did say that a couple of all-rounders and attacking options provide him with a much balanced team.
The reason for picking four spinners is something I won't reveal now. The skipper expressed his desire to have their spinners in the team. Having two all-rounders and two attacking options provides a balanced team composition. Based on opposition, we can decide who to play
India will start their Super 8 quest on June 20 against Afghanistan, following which they will be playing on 22nd and then on the 24th of June against Australia.
Will Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal play in the T20 World Cup?
India have not utilised their spinners on the US pitches, given the tracks have been conducive to fast bowling. In fact, Kuldeep and Chahal are yet to play a game in this World Cup.
But that is bound to change, come the Super 8 games. Team India head coach, Rahul Dravid has hinted the inclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in the Playing XI for the knockout games.
READ MORE: Time for Kulcha? Dravid hints at picking wrist-spinners
"Wrist spinners will come into play sooner in the tournament", Dravid said ahead of the Afghanistan game on Thursday.
Rahul Dravid hinted "Wrist spinners will come into play sooner in the tournament". pic.twitter.com/wD1piUhibM
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 19, 2024
T20 World Cup 2024: Pace vs Spin wickets in West Indies’ stadiums
The pitch in the West Indies equally supports both pace and spin bowling. Afghanistan’s Fazhal Farooqi and Rashid Khan have been on fire with the ball in hand. The Afghani pace and spin combination even slayed the Black Caps, New Zealand with their blistering variation with the ball.
Although pace bowling has fetched 25 wickets more when compared with spin bowling, that is because, usually teams play more pacers than spinners in the team.
| Total wickets | Wickets taken by pace | Wickets taken by spin | Wicket % by pace | Wicket % by spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 247 | 153 | 94 | 61.94% | 38.06% |
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Players with most wickets on West Indies' pitches.
Leading the chart for most wickets on West Indies’ pitches is Afghanistan’s Fazhal Farooqi with 12 wickets in 3 games, followed by the likes of Adam Zampa, Akeal Hossein, Gudakesh Motie, etc.
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Team | Bowling Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazhal Farooqi | 3 | 12 | Afghanistan | Pace |
| Adam Zampa | 4 | 9 | Australia | Spin |
| Alzarri Joseph | 3 | 8 | West Indies | Pace |
| Akeal Hossein | 3 | 7 | West indies | Spin |
| Trent boult | 3 | 7 | New Zealand | Pace |
Looking at the kind of difference spin bowling has made on Caribbean pitches, Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid will be looking forward to the usage of the four spinners picked in the squad.
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