I don't think Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will play together in T20 World Cup: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian batter and cricket expert Aakash Chopra has opined that the spin-bowling duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will not play together in the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. Famously known as ‘Kul-Cha’, the duo has been performing extremely well for their respective franchise in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). While Chahal is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 scalps for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kuldeep has so far scalped 13 wickets for Delhi Capitals (DC).

However, Chopra believes that the matches during the T20 World Cup will be better suited for pace bowling and spinners are not likely to get much help. The expert further opined that the Men in Blue already have two spin-bowling all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in the squad regularly playing for India.

India might want to play Washington Sundar as well, feels Chopra

“Thinking practically, (Ravindra) Jadeja will be there at the World Cup. He bats, bowls, and fields. India might want to play (Washington) Sundar as well. He gives an off-break option and can also bat. The World Cup is in Australia, so there are no chances of playing three spinners in the XI. Don’t think Kul-Cha will play together in the T20 World Cup,” Chopra said during a Q&A session on his YouTube channel.

To note, both Kuldeep and Chahal have not been able to feature in the Indian squad regularly and they also missed the previous edition of T20 World Cup in UAE. “Both are wicket-takers and are presently in excellent form. I think they have been treated a bit unfairly. Neither of them got regular chances in the Indian team to prove their worth,” he added.

The bowling duo will be up against each other on April 22 (Friday) as the Capitals will take on the Royals during a group stage match to be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It is expected to be a cracker of a contest between two strong-looking teams.