Should Kuldeep Yadav play against Afghanistan? The big debate ahead of India's opening Super 8 match in 2024 T20 World Cup

Should India alter their winning combination and bring in Kuldeep Yadav for their opening Super 8 match against Afghanistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup? That's the big debate among experts and fans as the Men in Blue prepare for their next challenge in the ICC event.

Team India cruised into Super 8 round without much trouble, winning their first three matches in Group A. The Men in Blue went in with a combination of three pacers - Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj - and two spin-bowling all-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

It is often said that you change a winning combination at your own peril. In this case, though, conditions and a few other factors need to be taken into account. India played all their three matches in the group stage in New York, where conditions were extremely favorable for pace bowling. Pitches in West Indies, though, where the Super 8 matches will be played are expected to aid spin.

As good as they are, Jadeja and Axar are not game-changing bowlers. In fact, both are in the team because of the all-round ability they possess. Although Jadeja did precious little in the group stage, India will need to services of both the utility cricketers in the Super 8 round because of the overall package they offer.

If Kuldeep has to come into the playing XI, the left-arm wrist-spinner will have to replace one of the pace bowlers. Unless he has a fitness issue, Bumrah is an automatic choice in the playing XI. That means that the management will have to drop either Arshdeep or Siraj to bring in Kuldeep. Given the form of the two bowlers, Siraj is the one who is mostly likely to miss out.

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India seriously pondering bringing in Kuldeep Yadav?

A number of reports in the media have claimed that the Men in Blue are seriously thinking about ways to fit Kuldeep into the playing XI for the team's first Super 8 match against Afghanistan on Thursday.

According to a report in news agency PTI, the left-arm wrist-spinner had extended bowling sessions on Monday and Tuesday.

"The pitch should turn in the middle as well, may be not as much as it is doing in the nets but will definitely turn. The spinners have proved quite useful throughout the Caribbean thus far. I don't think India will make any changes, they would not want to compromise on their batting," a former cricketer was quoted as telling PTI.

Another reason why India would be seriously considering bringing Kuldeep into the scheme of things is because the challenge for the Men in Blue will be much tougher in the Super 8. With all due credit to Ireland and United States, they were not expected to give India much trouble in the group stage. In the Super 8, though, Team India will be up against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia.

What also goes in Kuldeep's favor is the fact that he had been in excellent form across formats heading into the 2024 T20 World Cup. The fact that he was not picked in the playing XI in the first place during the group stage also raised a few eyebrows among fans and critics. But since India delivered the results, the criticism was muted.

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Former cricketers bat for Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion

A few cricket experts reckon that while Team India tasted plenty of success in the group stage with their three pacers and two spinners combination, they would find it difficult to keep Kuldeep out of the scheme of things in the Super 8. According to former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, the spinner's inclusion would provide that 'extra bit of wicket-taking flair' to the Indian XI.

"I would think maybe Kuldeep would come in to provide that extra bit of wicket-taking flair if the wickets do provide the turn as they get a little bit more used and you get closer to the end of the tournament," he told ESPNCricinfo.

According to veteran Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep would be India’s first-choice spinner in the Super 8 because of his form over the last year and a half. He also stated that India would have to make the change keeping the conditions in West Indies in mind.

"The spinners were not needed as much in New York but once you enter the second leg for the Super Eight, the spinners have had a big role in the West Indies. Our spinners will come into play now," Chawla told the media on the sidelines of IISM Convocation Ceremony last week as per PTI.

"...I think Kuldeep will be the first preference because of what he has done in the last one and a half years. You have Axar and Jadeja who can give you the batting depth so I feel Kuldeep will get the nod," Chawla added.

While Axar and Jadeja were picked as the spin bowling all-rounders in India’s 15 for the 2024 World Cup, Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal were named as the frontline spinners. Like Kuldeep, Chahal is also yet to play a match in the tournament.