Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said he doesn’t see Varun Chakravarthy playing in the fourth T20I against New Zealand. The mystery spinner didn’t play in the first three games against the Kiwis as India have backed Axar Patel as the solitary spinner.
While the New Zealand spinners – Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner – were able to impress in the first two games of the series, it has been surprising to note that India have played neither Varun Chakravarthy nor Kuldeep Yadav.
Furthermore, Eden Park has smaller boundaries and thus the spinners could be taken to the cleaners.
Chakravarthy recently made a comeback to the team after recovering from an injury.
Aakash Chopra said on Cricinfo, “I want him to play these two games, but a fast bowler will have to be benched. Even if these are dead rubbers, India is not going to compromise a batter at eight for an out-and-out bowler. Will a fast bowler go out, though? Because we are at the Eden Park. There are very short straight boundaries. We will have a decent amount of grass coverage on the surface. And there is a bit of help for the faster bowlers. So three fast bowlers, then it becomes a must.
“I don’t see him playing. He’s not played anything. Unless you are okay to compromise that number eight slot for the batter, Varun might still not play,” Chopra went on to add.
Meanwhile, Axar Patel has scalped two wickets in three games at an average of 57.50 in the series against the Blackcaps.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
