Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan believes that India should field all three frontline spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin—in their upcoming 2023 World Cup match against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8. Khan emphasizes the spin-friendly conditions in Chennai, giving India a significant advantage.
In a video by Cricbuzz, Khan suggests that to accommodate the spinners, Shardul Thakur might have to make way.
“The first topic of discussion should be how to accommodate three spinners when playing in Chennai. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the two seamers on the front line with Hardik Pandya. I predict that the starting XI will include all three spinners. Shardul Thakur will be forced to miss out,” Zaheer said.
Despite India’s ability to go in with three spinners, Australia faces a challenge due to their limited spin options. With only Adam Zampa, the team will rely on Glenn Maxwell to contribute with a few overs.
Former cricketer Virender Sehwag, speaking in the same video, highlights Australia’s recent struggles against spin. He points out the team’s consecutive losses in the first two matches of the three-match series against India ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Sehwag underscores the strength of India’s spin department with Ashwin, Yadav, and Jadeja.
“Australia has failed to counter spin, as we just seen. Their first two games were losses. They played better and won because there wasn’t much turn in the third ODI,” the former opener added.
It’s worth noting that India won the ODI series against Australia 2-1, with the visitors securing a 66-run consolation win in the third and final fixture.