India have three quality spinners — Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel — in their squad for the T20 Asia Cup 2025 squad. Ahead of their T20 Asia Cup 2025 opener against United Arab Emirates (UAE), captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir face a dilemma. On wickets that offer much assistance to spinners, will they go with three spinners? Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun feels that they will be tempted to do so but it will all boil down to the conditions.
"Well, Varun has been an exceptional T20 bowler. He is kind of a match-winner. And so is Kuldeep Yadav. And Axar Patel brings in a lot with the bat,” Arun told PTI.
"So, I think Axar would be used more as an all-rounder. And if the wickets are a little conducive, it will be a great idea to play all three spinners. Because each one has got a different variety.
"They have experience. And they bring a lot to the table...But obviously, the condition of the pitch would matter a lot. Then if it does, then it will be a very, very difficult choice to pick just two of them. Very tempting to play all three.”
While Chakravarthy has become the frontline spinner in T20Is, Kuldeep hasn’t featured in a T20I since the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa. Meanwhile, Patel featured in the five-T20I series against England at home earlier this year.
Arun feels Kuldeep will benefit from bowling in Duleep Trophy
While Kuldeep did not get any game time on England tour, Arun backed the experience leg-spinner to do the job.
"Kuldeep Yadav has grown immensely in stature as a bowler. He is bowling beautifully. And it was unfortunate that he couldn't play in England.
"But I am sure he must have had a lot of overs under his belt. And he is experienced enough. He has got pretty good experience in the T20 format," Arun said.
Arun also believes that bowling 32 overs in the Duleep Trophy 2025 encounter, even though wicketless, would have helped the 31-year-old get his rhythm back.
"...these 35 [32] overs in the Duleep Trophy must have been great for him to get back his rhythm. But I wouldn't read too much into performance (no wickets). As a coach, I would only like to look at Kuldeep's rhythm.
"I think 35 overs of match bowling is pretty good for him to get back his rhythm. And I am sure the conditions in Dubai would be conducive for Kuldeep. The grounds are big. The wickets also could be favourable. So, I see Kuldeep doing very well in the Asia Cup," he added.
India will go up against UAE on September 10 in Dubai. The team management faces dilemma for a few spots in the playing XI.