Kuldeep Yadav set to play in Hyderabad: India’s bowling plans under scrutiny

India’s bowling plans came under scrutiny after their 24-run defeat by West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, with former India pacer Varun Aaron questioning the team management’s decision to drop specialist wrister Kuldeep Yadav from the playing eleven.

Aaron, who is also the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, felt that the conditions at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium were suitable for another spinner and that Kuldeep could have made a significant difference for the hosts. India stuck with an unchanged eleven in the contest, but their bowling attack struggled to sustain West Indies, who posted 247 for three before restricting the hosts to 223 for nine.

IND vs WI 4TH T20I: MAIN | SCORECARD

“In the end, poor bowling plans and lack of batting awareness cost India the game again. India should have played an extra spinner. Kuldeep should have played on that wicket,” Aaron said on JioHotstar.

The surface in Hyderabad was not the flat track that many expected. The folded pitch offered some help to the bowlers, with the deliveries delayed at times during both innings. The lack of dew also meant that conditions could favor the wrist spinner who is strengthening argument for Kuldeep’s inclusion.

ROLE OF MOTIA IN HYDERABAD

India went into the fourth T20I with Axar Patel and Naman Dhir as their only spin options. Axar returned figures of 1/45, dismissing West Indies opener Jewel Andrew in the powerplay, while Naman conceded 19 runs during his brief spell. Neither was able to exert sustained pressure on the visitors.

West Indies, meanwhile, had two effective spin options in Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase, both of whom played important roles in the victory.

Chase was effective in keeping Abhishek Sharma calm throughout the series. However, in Hyderabad, Sanju Samson has shouldered much of the responsibility during the power-play, giving Abhishek fewer opportunities to dominate the innings.

Motie proved particularly influential, turning the game in West Indies’ favor during a crucial phase of India’s chase. The left-arm spinner dismissed Abhishek and Naman off consecutive deliveries in the same over, dealing a significant blow to India as they attempted to chase down a formidable target.

Aaron pointed to the West Indian spinners’ ability to change pace and exploit the conditions as evidence of what India could achieve with another special option.

“We saw Motie bowl, change his pace and even Roston Chase bowled really well today, regardless of the over. On a wicket like that, with those boundary dimensions, Kuldeep would be India’s point of difference,” he said.

BOWLING SCHEDULES UNDER CONTROL

Apart from the team mix, India’s other big problem was execution with the ball. Most of the Indian bowlers struggled to keep the score up, with Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs apiece. The hosts failed to hit the right length consistently or create enough uncertainty for the West Indies batsmen.

The defeat left India with little room for error heading into the series decider. With the five-match competition level at 2-2, the teams will meet in Bengaluru on Saturday, where India’s bowling strategy and team selection are likely to attract fresh attention.

– The end