Sanjay Manjrekar urges India to choose their top-three spinners for the T20 World Cup

Former Indian cricketer-turned pundit Sanjay Manjrekar has claimed that while the Rohit Sharma-led unit boasts of quality seamers, their spin attack will set the Men in Blue apart in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.

India went in with the trio of R Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, and Varun Chakravarthy in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. But Manjrekar believes that the management has moved on from the trio and is looking at Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel as possible options.

Ashwin featured in the home series against New Zealand after the T20 World Cup last year, but injuries have ruled the off-spinner out of contention since then.

Meanwhile, Chahar, who was picked ahead of Chahal, and mystery spinner Varun, are nowhere near contention.

Speaking to Hindustan Times recently, Manjrekar said that while Chahal has sealed his place for the WC following a memorable IPL season with the Rajasthan Royals, the likes of Bishnoi, Axar, and Ravindra Jadeja will battle it out for the remaining two spots.

"India have quality in the seam department but other international teams like Pakistan and South Africa have it as well. No matter how much quality India have in their seam, they start winning when spinners make a contribution. Yes, India have gone away from Chahar, Ashwin, and Chakaravarthy. They are currently looking at Chahal, Bishnoi and Axar. Jadeja might come in too. But I would also like to see Kuldeep once he is fit. If India have to win and get into the final round of the tournament, they need two game-changing spinners," said Manjrekar.

Manjrekar added that he wanted to see left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the mix.

Kuldeep regained his mojo in the recent IPL, claiming 21 wickets in 14 games to finish as the 5th leading wicket-taker in the competition.

However, an untimely injury ruled him out of the home series against South Africa.

Manjrekar stated that zeroing in on top-3 spinners should be one of the top agendas for the Indian management in the coming months.

"Spinners could get two-three wickets and completely change the course of the game. India need to start zeroing on their three spinners in the squad. Chahal has almost sealed his berth and Kuldeep can also come into the mix. Kuldeep had an interesting season with Delhi Capitals. Axar is also a reliable finger spinner. Zeroing on the three spinners might be one of the top agendas of the team management. It would set India apart from others," he added.

India will play a couple of T20Is in Ireland on June 26 & 28 before they lock horns with England and then the West Indies in 3 and 5 T20Is, respectively, in the next two months.