Abhishek Nayar and Cheteshwar Pujara discussed India’s pace-bowling all-rounder conundrum in Hardik Pandya’s absence and the choice between Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav as the frontline spinner ahead of the New Zealand T20I series.
Abhishek Nayar elaborated on Shivam Dube’s potential effectiveness in New Zealand conditions:
“I think there is more trust in Shivam Dube because he has done it for India. Nitish Kumar Reddy has bowled well for SRH, but so far for India in T20Is, unfortunately, he hasn’t played that role yet. In the World Cup, we saw that in big matches, Shivam Dube took big wickets with his bouncers, with his line and short-pitched length. So, I think there is more trust in Shivam Dube overall. Also, with the power and the number at which he bats, I think he suits the Indian team and its makeup right now. So, I believe that, especially in New Zealand conditions, Shivam Dube will be more effective because he hits the deck. Shivam Dube is a tall bowler, which gives him a little more bounce than Nitish Kumar Reddy in foreign conditions.”
On why Kuldeep Yadav’s presence will add a different dimension to India’s line-up:
“There will be a bit of seam and swing, and often, in conditions where there is no deviation off the pitch, a wrist spinner comes into play because the trajectory is different, and the ball will skid slightly. I always believe that when Kuldeep Yadav bowls, there is a question in every team’s mind, mostly among foreign players, about how to tackle him. You think strategically about which overs he will bowl. In the powerplay, fast bowlers will bowl most of the overs. If spin bowlers bowl, when will they bowl? When will Kuldeep Yadav be used? Post six overs. When will Varun Chakaravarthy be used? Post six overs. There, I feel Kuldeep Yadav will give another dimension to the Indian team, especially against New Zealanders in those conditions.”
Cheteshwar Pujara discussed India’s choice between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube for the New Zealand T20Is:
“In the T20 format, in my opinion, no player’s spot in the playing eleven is completely cemented because you select the team based on conditions. So, if the Indian team needs a bowling all-rounder, then Nitish Kumar Reddy can be that, because his bowling is better than Shivam Dube’s. If you are looking for a batter at number seven, then it’s not even a conversation. Shivam Dube is a good batter who can give you one or two overs in the T20 format. But if there are conditions in New Zealand where you need a bowler first, and someone who can go and bat at number seven or eight, then Nitish Kumar Reddy can be that option.”
On preferring Varun Chakaravarthy ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the line-up:
“In the T20 format, especially among the New Zealand batters, not all of them have played Varun. A majority of the players have played him, but I still feel he is a mystery bowler. It feels like Kuldeep is a bit under pressure. He bowls better where there are bigger boundaries. Varun, obviously, is a confidence bowler. When he lacks confidence, he can be expensive.”
