'Our spinners will come into play': Ex-cricketer confident about spin's role in ICC T20 World Cup 24

Former cricketer Piyush Chawla believes that wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be India's top choice among specialist spinners as the Indian team progresses to the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. India triumphed in all three matches under challenging batting conditions at Nassau County Stadium in New York, defeating Ireland, Pakistan, and USA. They now face Canada in their final Group stage match at Lauderhill, Florida, before advancing to the Super Eight stage.

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Piyush Chawla stresses on the importance on spinners

Chawla noted that despite unfavorable conditions for spin bowling in New York, India's spinners will likely play a crucial role in the upcoming matches. The team boasts a quartet of spin options including Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja.

"The pitch in New York was very dicey and the way India performed on that pitch and won three out of three games, so there are very good chances going forward," Chawla told media on the sidelines of IISM Convocation Ceremony here on Thursday.

"The spinners were not needed as much in New York but once you enter the second leg for the Super Eight, the spinners have had a big role in the West Indies. Our spinners will come into play now," he added.

Chawla picked Kuldeep as his first choice even though Chahal finished the Indian Premier League (IPL) as one of the most successful bowlers.

"To be very honest only one will play, and I think Kuldeep will be the first preference because of what he has done in the last one and a half years. You have Axar and Jadeja who can give you the batting depth so I feel Kuldeep will get the nod," he said.

Kuldeep said the ‘tricky’ pitch in New York brought the best out of ‘good teams’ such as India.

"It was tricky, no doubt, but good teams have done well. Like India defended 120 runs against Pakistan," he said.

"When they had made just 119 I do not think many people would have given them the chance but the way the Indian bowling unit bowled, especially Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik, that was really a treat to watch," he added. 

(With inputs from PTI)