Ahead of the third and final ODI against Australia in Chennai, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid opened up about how many chances Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav expected to get in the national squad as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at home.
While Team India is trying out Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja across the formats, Kuldeep is also fortunate enough to get a number of opportunities, and Dravid made it clear that the wrist-spinner will be given a longer run ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The head coach further lamented the lack of chances given to Chahal recently, but said that their plans will totally depend on the conditions for the World Cup to be played in October and November.
Rahul Dravid said at the press conference: “We are always presuming that the wickets will spin in India. We just actually presume. I don't think the last 2 spun at all. We never know what we are going to get in the World Cup. In the league phase, nine cities, it is in October, the wickets won't be as tired as they probably are in the IPL and (that too) at the back-end of our summer.”
He continued, “You just have to get all your bases covered. Obviously having a wrist spinner, if he is bowling well, is a huge advantage. Taking wickets in the middle overs is important. A wrist spinner gives that chance to be attacking and take wickets in the middle overs which is why have given Kuldeep a pretty consistent run.”
Dravid signed off by saying, “We have Yuzi (Chahal), who is unfortunately is a very fine bowler and is missing out. At the moment, we believe in giving people a consistent run before we make decisions and Kuldeep is the one that is getting the run over the last few games.”
