Australia vs India, 3rd ODI: Chahal’s wicket-taking ability makes him a better choice to partner Kuldeep during World Cup

Yuzvendra Chahal became the first spinner to take six wickets in an ODI in Australia. He also equalled the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in an ODI Down Under. This was a terrific performance by a player who has often found himself outside the playing eleven because of his lesser batting abilities.

His performance today is further proof that his wicket-taking ability will be sorely missed if he is not selected in the team. In partnership with Kuldeep Yadav, he can form a deadly spinning duo. They have done it several times in the past two years, but in the last few months, Ravindra Jadeja has been preferred over him.

For a team that has one of the best batting line ups in the world, it is ironic that they would prefer a ‘lesser’ bowler in their team because of his ‘superior’ batting ability. If the Indian top order and middle order batsmen fail, then it is doubtful if a number eight batsman could bail them out!

Moreover, by selecting a wicket-taking option like Chahal, India would have a better chance of restricting the opposition. It will be unfair to expect Chahal to run through sides the way he did today on a regular basis.

But he will always remain a threat, and along with Kuldeep, will provide the captain the option to attack from both ends, rather than attack from one end and looking to contain from the other. With Jadeja in the side, it is often the latter.

Virat Kohli is an aggressive batsman, and is quite aggressive on the field as well. That aggression has served him well in all formats of the game, especially in the limited over format.

It is time he brings that aggression to his team selection as well, by bringing in an attacking wicket-taking option in the form of Chahal, rather than a defensive containing option like Jadeja.