Kuldeep Yadav has been included in the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2024, but it does not guarantee his spot in the playing XI. Varun Chakravarthy is expected to lead the spin attack, given his impressive return to international cricket since last year, picking 33 wickets in T20Is, and Axar Patel is likely to be the first-choice all-round spinner, providing control in the middle overs.
If India picks three pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, Kuldeep’s place in the playing XI could be under threat, as the team might prefer to include an extra batter or an all-rounder to maintain balance. If they go with a two-pace attack, Kuldeep could be added as an extra spinner. Team management faces a tricky decision in balancing the playing XI, weighing Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist-spin threat against the need for extra batting depth or pace options, considering the conditions in the UAE.