Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes India is gearing up to launch a fierce spin attack against Pakistan on the slow turf of the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. He suggested that veteran pacer Arshdeep Singh could be replaced with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Team India has started its ICC T20 World Cup journey on a high note and has almost moved on to the next stage with two wins against the United States and Namibia. However, despite the outstanding performance of Indian players, some loopholes have been exposed in the past two games.

However, from the perspective of fans, India’s upcoming game is the most important game of this World Cup, not because India’s game with Pakistan is often called their biggest opponent, nor because they have an overwhelming record against their opponents, but because this will be their first time challenging a strong enemy in this World Cup.

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Sunil Gavaskar predicts big change in India’s approach to attacks ahead of big-money clash with Pakistan

By India’s current standards, it will be difficult for any team to give them a tough match, which has been proven in the past few series against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The Men in Blue are an unbeatable team when it comes to the shortest format.

Ahead of the big-ticket match against Pakistan, India legend Sunil Gavaskar said he believes India will make massive tactical changes in the XI as the high-pressure game will require tactical changes based on changing match conditions.

India’s match is being played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, one of the slowest and most spin-friendly tracks in the subcontinent, meaning India may instinctively use three frontline spinners on such a track.

Thus, Sunil Gavaskar predicts that Arshdeep Singh may be replaced by China bowler Kuldeep Yadav as India look to build a spin-heavy attack for Colombo.

“All our bowlers picked wickets. Ashdeep did not complete his four overs while Hardik Pandya completed his quota. This hints that Kuldeep Yadav can replace Ashdeep against Pakistan,” Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar heaps praise on India captain Suryakumar Yadav

Gavaskar said India’s game plan against Namibia and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s clever bowling rotation almost signaled the change. Gavaskar told Star Sports Live that India may plan a spin attack and Arshdeep may be sacrificed for it.

In the emphatic win against Namibia, Arshdeep was the only one to be hit with runs early and didn’t even fulfill his quota of four overs, unlike Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah.

According to Sunil Gavaskar, opening the batting with Hardik Pandya once again looks like a good option and hence restricting Varun Chakravarthy to 2 overs as the Indian skipper does not want to expose all his skills before the big game.

“Varun takes wickets every time he is asked to bowl and Axar Patel picking up two wickets is a very good sign,” Gavaskar said while highlighting the huge positives for India.

‘He needs to spend more time at the crease,’ Sunil Gavaskar’s unfiltered opinion on Sanju Samson

After heaping praise on the bowling table, he went on to speak highly of Sanju Samson’s batting in the last match against Namibia. Sanju was appointed as the replacement after Abhishek Sharma suffered from a stomach infection.

Abhishek’s return for the Pakistan Test is yet to be finalized and the former opener will have plenty of advice for Samson if he continues to be part of the Indian starting XI. Sunil Gavaskar pointed out his batting flaws which made him vulnerable early on.

“He goes too deep and plays the flick. He needs to spend more time at the crease, especially when he faces the new ball,” Gavaskar explained.

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