Rohit-Sharma Clarifies Axar Patel Selection Over Kuldeep Yadav in IND vs ENG 1st Test, Unveils Influence of ‘Virat Kohli’ Factor

Rohit-Sharma Clarifies Axar Patel Selection Over Kuldeep Yadav in IND vs ENG 1st Test, Unveils Influence of 'Virat Kohli' Factor

Asif Iqbal | January 25, 2024 | 11:57 AM IST | Cricket, Sports | Follow on Google News

Rohit-Sharma Clarifies Axar Patel Selection Over Kuldeep Yadav in IND vs ENG 1st Test, Unveils Influence of ‘Virat Kohli’ Factor

Rohit-Sharma Clarifies Axar Patel Selection Over Kuldeep Yadav in IND vs ENG 1st Test, Unveils Influence of ‘Virat Kohli’ Factor

Team India marked their return to Test cricket in Hyderabad against England in the first match of the series. The decision by visiting captain Ben Stokes to bat, after revealing the playing XI on the eve of the test, raised eyebrows. England surprised many by opting for three spinners, including part-timer Joe Root, and only one pacer, Mark Wood, in the lineup.

During the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma confirmed the Indian XI, featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel leading the spin attack. The selection of Ashwin and Jadeja for the first Test sparked speculation about the third spinner spot, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in contention. Axar ultimately got the nod in Hyderabad, a decision that Rohit Sharma acknowledged was challenging.

Rohit Sharma explained the decision, saying, “It was a tough one (to leave out Kuldeep Yadav), and we thought a lot about it. Axar, whenever he has played, he has done well and bats really well in these conditions. He gives his batting depth as well. He got some really good scores the last time we played against Australia. Probably the reason we went with Axar.”

Former India spinner Anil Kumble also supported Axar’s inclusion, suggesting that the absence of Virat Kohli added to Rohit’s concerns about the team’s batting depth in the opening Test. Kohli withdrew from the first two Tests of the series due to personal reasons.

“This surface is more suitable to Kuldeep Yadav; it’s not a grand turner. But it will certainly spin. Axar gives you a bit of batting depth, and also because of his success against England. He bowls wicket-to-wicket. One can turn, one can go straight,” said Kumble on JioCinema.

Kumble acknowledged the pressure on Rohit Sharma due to the absence of key players like Kohli, Pujara, and Rahane in the XI, stating, “Yes, Virat’s absence certainly put some pressure on Rohit Sharma. This is the first game after 12 years when you don’t have (Cheteshwar) Pujara, Kohli, (Ajinkya) Rahane in XI. It certainly put some pressure on Rohit.”

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Asif Iqbal

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