Follow UsIndia picked three spinners in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, thus leaving Yuzvendra Chahal out of the squad, despite the leg-spinner being an integral part of the squad in the last few years. However, with none of the top six batters bowling, it has become imperative to have one between Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur to help them pass through the challenge of 50-over cricket.
While reporters were quick to raise a concern about the lack of a leg-spinner in the squad, Rohit reasoned that having Axar is a strategic move but added that the door is still not shut on any spinner.
“We wanted someone who can bat at 8 or 9. Axar has had a good run in white ball with the bat this year. With him there, he gives us depth, and then he is a left-handed batter. We talked about Ashwin and Washi (Sundar) as well. The only way we could have picked an extra spinner was by dropping a seamer. Having said that, no doors are closed for anyone. If we feel like we need Chahal, Ashwin or Washi, we’ll try to squeeze them in,” Rohit said in the selection press conference, also attended by Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors.
Further validating Kuldeep’s rise in the scene, Agarkar said, “You can’t fit in two wrist spinners, and at the moment, Kuldeep is ahead of Chahal.”
India have been juggling with the concerns around the No.4 position, but with Shreyas Iyer returning, this will ease for a bit. Iyer has by far been India’s best batter at the No.4 position in a while, but Rohit added that batters are flexible to bat at different positions while adding that there is a clear structure in place.
“We have guys who can bat at No.4. It’s not one position … There have been challenges, guys who have been put under pressure, unfortunately, because of injuries, we have had to try others. We tried Axar at No.4, being a left-hander, go, bat freely," Rohit said.
“I will make you understand! Flexibility is required, doesn’t mean sending an opener at No.7. Or sending Hardik Pandya as an opener. In the last four-five years, Kohli has batted at No.3. The new guys at No. 4, no. 5 players need to be flexible. Even in my career...we all have done that. That’s the flexibility I am talking about. Not making opener down, woh pagalpanti nahi karte," the Indian skipper added.