Saikiran Uppuluri
Saikiran Uppuluri
India’s upcoming Test against England in Rajkot presents a perplexing situation for the team management. The return of Ravindra Jadeja has created a selection headache, with the need to choose between him, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep’s impressive performance in the previous Test, where he took four crucial wickets, has put him in contention. However, Axar’s consistency with both bat and ball has made him a strong candidate for selection.
Axar’s batting contributions, including scores of 44, 17, 27, and 45 in the series, coupled with his five wickets, make him a valuable all-round option. His ability to bat at No. 5 ahead of specialist batsmen adds depth to the batting lineup. On the other hand, Kuldeep’s left-arm leg-spin and knack for picking up crucial wickets provide a different dimension to the bowling attack.
The decision-makers, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, face a challenging task of maintaining team balance while ensuring that deserving players get opportunities. Kuldeep, who has faced exclusion despite match-winning performances in the past, hopes for a fair chance to prove himself, especially in home conditions where his style of bowling should thrive.
