The opening Test of the five-match series between Rohit Sharma-led India and Ben Stokes' England is scheduled to begin on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Indian captain Rohit Sharma has hinted at the potential inclusion of either Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the first Test. India have maintained an impressive record of winning 16 consecutive home Test series since their loss to England in 2012.
Both Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are skilled spinners. But with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja already in the squad, only one among Axar and Kuldeep is likely to play in the first Test against England. Axar played an instrumental role in the 2021 home series against England, emerging as India's second-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets in three matches, including four five-wicket hauls. Meanwhile, Kuldeep has recently been in excellent form for India.
Axar Patel vs Kuldeep Yadav
Meanwhile, India skipper Rohit in the pre-match press conference said," Lot of factors. Kuldeep gives you certain X factor with his bowling. The wicket if it has bounce, Kuldeep becomes a factor. He has got superb variations. He is a mature bowler as compared to what he was some years aog. He has not played many Tests in India because of Ashwin and Jadeja. Lot of us got an opportunity late. Kuldeep being the bowler he is now, he is much more improved and is a tempting option."
Comparatively, Axar has more Test match experience than Kuldeep. Kuldeep last played a Test in December 2022 against Bangladesh, while Patel was part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023. Patel has featured in 12 Test matches for India, taking 50 wickets at an impressive average of 17.16, whereas Kuldeep has played eight Tests, claiming 34 wickets at an average of 21.56.
“Axar, with his all-round ability, gives us batting depth. It is a headache to decide between Axar and Kuldeep. It is a challenge to make those conditions. We have quality around our spin bowling department,” Rohit added.
As India prepare to host England in a five-match Test series, starting in Hyderabad and then moving to Vishakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala, it remains to be seen who will be chosen between Axar and Kuldeep. Given the current conditions and circumstances, Axar seems more likely to be selected over Kuldeep.
England's playing XI for 1st Test: 1. Zak Crawley, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Ollie Pope, 4. Joe Root, 5. Jonny Bairstow, 6. Ben Stokes (captain), 7. Ben Foakes, 8. Rehan Ahmed, 9. Tom Hartley, 10. Mark Wood, 11. Jack Leach
India's squad first two Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajat Patidar Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan
England vs India's schedule for five-match Test series in 2024
1st Test: January 25-29, 2024 (Hyderabad)
2nd Test: February 2-6, 2024 (Vizag)
3rd Test: February 15-19, 2024 (Rajkot)
4th Test: February 23-27, 2024 (Ranchi)
5th Test: March 7-11, 2024 (Dharamsala)
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