Piyush Chawla picks India's ideal bowling combination for Super Eight clash with Afghanistan

India faces a conundrum of riches in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup Following a relatively straightforward group-stage campaign, where India secured victories in their first three matches with ease before a washout in the final game, the team management grapples with several key decisions.

Virat Kohli's recent batting slump has sparked widespread debate among pundits about the inclusion of the Yashasvi Jaiswal into the mix. Former international cricketers Piyush Chawla and Ian Bishop offered their views on conundrum faced by the management regarding the ideal bowling lineup.

Chawla deliberated on the dilemma of including wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav into the playing XI, but suggested neither Axar Patel nor Ravindra Jadeja should make way as three spinners in the West Indian conditions is the way to go. He noted the impressive performances of Hardik Pandya (seven wickets in three games at an economy rate of 5.41) and suggested slotting him in as the third seamer for India. Chawla anticipated a selection dilemma primarily between Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, emphasising that Kuldeep might edge out Siraj for a spot in the team.

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"Well, you definitely need one spinner, especially in those conditions where the ball is spinning and the pitch is on the slower side. I would say I'll not choose between either Axar or Jadeja because you need three spinners in those conditions. And with the way Hardik Pandya is bowling, you can consider him your third seamer. So, it's going to be a toss-up between Arshdeep and Siraj. And while Arshdeep has bowled well, and I don't want to take any credit away from Siraj, if you have to choose between those two, I think Siraj has to make way for Kuldeep," stated Chawla, speaking exclusively on a special edition of Star Sports' Press Room for Super 8.

Meanwhile, Bishop offered his perspective on involving Kuldeep. Unlike Piyush, Bishop expressed uncertainty regarding whom Kuldeep could potentially replace. He acknowledged Axar's precision and ability to generate sharp turn on spin-aiding pitches, while noting Jadeja's similar capability in these aspects.

Bishop concluded by admitting he lacked clarity on which of the two spinners might be sidelined. Interestingly, he didn't consider the fast bowlers who could potentially step aside for Kuldeep, underscoring his inclination towards pacers in his analysis.

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"I really don't know. Axar brings accuracy, and if the pitch is turning sharply, he can combine that accuracy with quick turn. But, Ravindra Jadeja can do that as well. So, honestly, I have no idea which one they'll leave out. This is one of the rare cards," shared Bishop on the same show.