Cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar has called for a bold team tweak ahead of India's high-stakes T20 World Cup showdown with Pakistan on Sunday, backing leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to replace Arshdeep Singh, the team's leading T20I wicket-taker. Speaking on Star Sports' Amul Cricket Live after India's thumping 93-run victory over Namibia, Gavaskar highlighted the spin-friendly Sri Lankan pitches dictating strategy. Arshdeep struggled against Namibia, failing to complete his full four overs while leaking runs, whereas spinners like Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and even Hardik Pandya excelled in limited overs.

Gavaskar emphasized how captain Suryakumar Yadav cleverly rotated bowlers, with Hardik opening the attack—a hint of things to come against Pakistan. "Expect Kuldeep in the eleven against Pakistan," he stated, pointing to Kuldeep's wrist-spin prowess as ideal for Colombo's turning tracks.

India's past successes here often hinged on multiple spinners, and Kuldeep's googly and leg-breaks could dismantle Pakistan's explosive batting lineup, echoing his IPL dominance and key T20I strikes against top-order stars. This shift maintains balance: mystery spin from Kuldeep and Varun, Axar's control, plus pace from Hardik and Shivam Dube.

Arshdeep's wicket tally is impressive, but Gavaskar— no stranger to advocating Kuldeep on turning surfaces—sees this as the perfect moment for his inclusion. With Suryakumar leading and Sanju Samson sharpening his technique, India eyes another chapter in the storied India-Pakistan saga, reminiscent of the 2022 Colombo thriller.