During the group stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup, Team India went with a four-pronged seam attack on two-paced wickets in the USA. However, this combination is expected to change in the Super 8s considering the success of spinners in the Caribbean.
The Men in Blue will begin their Super 8 campaign against Afghanistan in Barbados from June 20 onwards.
Ahead of the game, former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has called for the inclusion of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI.
"I would think maybe Kuldeep would come in to provide that extra bit of wicket-taking flair if the wickets do provide the turn as they get a little bit more used and you get closer to the end of the tournament," Fleming said on the 'ESPNCricinfo Timeout show'.
Fleming also highlighted the importance of adaptability, saying, "But they've still got that opportunity now to do both which is good and horses for courses, you can't be so set in one way of playing that you miss the opportunities to take advantage of conditions."
In Group A, India defeated the USA, Ireland, and Pakistan while their match against Canada was called off due to wet outfield. Now, the Rohit Sharma-led side has been placed with Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh in the Super 8s group.
India’s selection of two left-arm spin all-rounders, Akshar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, has been a topic of debate. However, Fleming sees no issue with playing two players with similar skill sets.
"So, there are subtleties around them both but again, and I hate that notion of left-handers can't bowl to left-hand batters so we can dispel that myth and both of those players can hopefully play along."
India had to make tough decisions in their team selection, with talented players like Yashasvi Jaiswal being benched due to the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as openers and Rishabh Pant batting at No. 3.
Fleming, the long-serving CSK coach in the IPL, believes that the inaugural champions have made smart choices in their team composition.
"This is a team that in some ways is picked for the finals in my view, it's a team that has spinners that can dominate, it has players that can dominate spin and we've seen spin in the West Indies play quite a big part, not so much in New York.
"So, I think they've got job done and they've got quite smartly a view of mind, this is how we want to play the key games now going into hopefully the semi-finals and final.
"...they've picked a team that they think may be playing a turning track, this will give us our best chance at the top and has good balance and we've seen that sort of in stops and starts and it's just been because of conditions but I think they're in good shape."
