Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has lamented the exclusion of spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel from the playing XI in the red-ball format.
Expressing his thoughts, Chopra talked about the pitch condition in Pune, saying, “The pitch is quite friendly for the spinners. So the spinners really need to improvise with the ball and make a statement."
He acknowledged the bowling brilliance showcased by Washington Sundar on his return.
Meanwhile, he expressed his concerns for not inducting spinner Axar Patel into the national team despite including him in the squad, saying, “Why keep Axar Patel in the squad if he is not given the opportunity to play?”
Speaking about Kuldeep Yadav, he said: “Kuldeep has been given the opportunity to play only in one out of the four matches in the red-ball format.”
