"You could see spinners being used in the death overs as well" - Ravindra Jadeja ahead of India's T20 World Cup Super 8 phase
Veteran Indian left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja expects spinners to play a massive role ahead of the Men in Blue's Super 8 phase of the ongoing T20 World Cup. India have played all their games in the USA so far, where the conditions heavily favored the fast bowlers.
However, Jadeja has enough experience playing on turning wickets in India and thus has an idea of what to expect in the West Indies. With the matches being played in the daytime, Jadeja feels the pitch would be on the drier side.
Speaking to Star Sports, here's what Ravindra Jadeja had to say:
"Whenever we play in the West Indies, the wicket remains a bit slow and dry. The match timing is also in the morning so spinners will have help. Even in India, there are many wickets where spinners get help. So it is a good thing that spinners will get help here in the middle overs. You could see spinners being used in the death overs as well."
Jadeja also shed light on the possibility of India getting a used wicket as the T20 World Cup has seen multiple matches being played at the same venue and on the same pitch. He believes the dynamics could be a bit different if they get a fresh wicket and that they will need to adapt to the same.
Kuldeep Yadav echoed Ravindra Jadeja's thoughts on West Indian conditions
Kuldeep Yadav, like Ravindra Jadeja, has experienced the conditions in the West Indies and expects the pitch to aid the spinners. While Kuldeep hasn't played a game so far in the tournament, he could be the trump card India unleash in the Super 8 phase.
Speaking on the importance of length and his experience in the West Indies, here's what Kuldeep told Star Sports:
"The spinners do get help in the West Indies and so I think four spinners are picked in the squad. In this format, the bowlers' length becomes crucial and I have said this many times. I had played the T20I series against West Indies last year and it was a good series for the spinners so I expect similar pitches."
The Men in Blue begin their Super 8 phase with a massive encounter against giant killers Afghanistan in Barbados on June 20. They will then face Bangladesh in Antigua on June 22, before completing the phase against Australia in St. Lucia on June 24.