Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has said that India can very well play both wrist spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the third and final T20I against New Zealand which will be played in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 1, 2023.
The series is level at 1-1 with New Zealand winning the first T20I in Ranchi and India coming back to win at Lucknow.
Chahal and Yadav have enjoyed a lot of success while bowling in tandem and both men were included in the lineup for the second T20I against New Zealand in Lucknow. Both men picked a wicket each and were very economical as they helped India level the series.
Kaif said that with Washington Sundar’s arrival, the Men in Blue team management can easily fit both Kuldeep and Chahal in the XI.
"Absolutely, you can do three and three. It is definitely on because they are quality bowlers. Kuldeep and Chahal bring with them a lot of experience. The guy who comes to bat at No. 7 is an all-rounder.
With Washington Sundar being there, you can play around because you have got a batter at No. 7. You need batting till No. 7 only in T20 cricket because the No. 8 does not get to bat. So you have a solid batter at No.7,” Kaif said on Star Sports' show Match Point.
Kaif feels that the spin duo fits into the mold and he thinks three spinners and three pacers could be the way forward for India. He also felt that the team needed wicket-takers in the middle overs and can also prove to be match-winners.
"Then you need wicket-takers who are match-winners, which Kuldeep Yadav and Chahal are. Then you have fast bowlers. Three and three is the way to go forward. There is nothing wrong with that because you don't see anything lacking there.
Hardik Pandya comes at No. 6. He is also an all-rounder. So you can go with six bowlers, the batting is also there till No. 7, and the six bowlers you have are proper wicket-takers. So I feel you will see this approach quite a lot going forward,” he said.
