T20 World Cup 2024: India likely to drop one of these two stars to include Kuldeep Yadav in playing 11

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T20 World Cup 2024: India are gearing up to play their first match of the Super 8 round against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados on Thursday (June 20).

The Barbados pitch is very likely to help the spinners and therefore the Indian team management is mulling over the thought of introducing Kuldeep Yadav in the playing eleven. The chinaman bowler is India's first-choice specialist spinner for the ongoing tournament, but did not get to play in the group stage because of the nature of pitches in New York, USA.

As per the early reports, Barbados pitch looks absolutely dry and brown, hinting that the spinners will play a key role. Therefore, India cannot risk not playing their best spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the match.

But to get the left-arm wrist spinner in the India playing eleven, the Men in Blue will have to make a tough decision of dropping one player. The task looks easier than done.

T20 World Cup 2024: Who will Kuldeep Yadav replace in India playing 11 vs Afghanistan?

As of now, Mohammed Siraj is likely to be dropped for Kuldeep Yadav. Arshdeep Singh has given India the much-needed variation in the pace attack and is very unlikely to be dropped against Afghanistan, who have right-hand batters at the top of the order.

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will be getting a full-fledged support from in-form Hardik Pandya, giving India three genuine pace options. India also have the option to bowl Shivam Dube, who bowled against USA in the last match and picked two wickets against Bangladesh in the practice match. Kuldeep can join spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel under this scenario.

Dropping out-of-form Ravindra Jadeja is another option. However, it is highly unlikely as Jadeja's presence in the Indian dressing room is as big as that of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Also, India need that batting depth which will come handy against a world-class spin-bowling side like Afghanistan. The Rashid Khan-led team bundled out New Zealand for 75 runs in Guyana in the group stage.

India's Predicted Playing 11 vs Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh