T20 World Cup: Kuldeep Yadav for Arshdeep Singh? Suryakumar Yadav says Asia Cup combo will decide

Colombo: Suryakumar Yadav loves to do things with a smile. And the two most important issues — the possible resumption of handshakes and the inclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav — dominated Surya’s media interaction.

After Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha put the ball in India’s court on the handshake issue, SKY smiled: “If it’s a thriller, let it be a thriller for one more night. Let’s enjoy the game, and then you’ll see what we do.”



“But the handshake is before the toss,” somebody said and Surya maintained his happy, chirpy self. “Arey, wait kar lo bhai,” he said, not exactly shutting the option. It was a departure from the extreme tension around the IndiaPak games in September’s Asia Cup.

Then came the question of Kuleep making it to the playing XI. The left-arm wrist spinner was a super success for India in the Asia Cup, dismantling Pakistan in the Asia Cup final with 4/30. In the first match he had got 3/18. Kuldeep has always enjoyed a stranglehold over Babar Azam, Pakistan’s anchor man at No. 4.

Asked whether Kuldeep would play, Surya laughed and asked everyone to wait but left enough hints. “In Asia Cup, the pitch was similar and it was a big ground. We have to see what combinations worked for us then. I feel similar combinations will be played here, it’s a good headache to have,” Surya said.

If Kuldeep has to play, however, one pacer has to be left out, and the axe could fall on Arshdeep Singh. India are not likely to reduce their batting depth, using Axar Patel at No. 8, unless the match is curtailed by rain. “It’s very difficult to decide which fast bowler to play. All our fast bowlersare good and spinners have done well too,” he said.

“I want to have different plans for different games. I go with what I feel is the need of the hour in a specific game,” he said.


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