India spin coach explains why Kuldeep, Varun were benched in NZ T20Is

India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has made it clear that Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy remain in the team's plans, even if neither is guaranteed a place in the playing XI for the final T20I against New Zealand in Hamilton.

The two experienced spinners have been part of the squad but have had to wait for their opportunities as India stick with their preferred bowling combination. Their absence was particularly noticeable in the fourth T20I in Auckland, where India's attack conceded 259 for seven in an 87-run defeat.

With India already having sealed the five-match series 3-1, there could be room for the team management to experiment in Hamilton. Bahutule, however, stressed that both spinners understood the selection dynamics and were continuing to prepare for whenever they were called upon.

"They are well prepared to play. But the combination team, whatever they need, it's very important to understand that they might not get that opportunity. They are very much aware of it," Bahutule said at the post-match press conference.

"At the same time, they keep working behind the doors. Whenever they are needed, in fact, they will be ready for it. I think it's a question of giving them the opportunity."

Bahutule expressed hope that the duo could feature in the final T20I or in the upcoming assignments. Kuldeep is part of India's ODI squad, while Chakravarthy has not been selected for the 50-over series.

"Hopefully, in the next game and the coming one-dayers, they will get the opportunity," he said.ROLE CLARITY FOR SPINNERS

Explaining India's approach to its spin options, Bahutule said the bowlers had been encouraged to attack, although he pointed out that defensive bowling could also be an attacking option depending on the situation.

He singled out Axar Patel's ability to operate in the powerplay and adapt to different phases of an innings. Kuldeep and Chakravarthy, meanwhile, were prepared to bowl at different stages if required.

"I think we encourage our bowlers to attack. Sometimes being defensive can also be an attacking role. You know what I mean? So, there are different situations which we need to handle. Axar is somebody who bowls in the powerplay and whichever over he's given, he executes it very well," Bahutule said.

"When you have Varun as well as Kuldeep in the wings, they too are ready to bowl at any stage. They play a different role in conditions like this. But there is a lot of clarity given to them in terms of what is expected from them."ABHISHEK AS A BOWLING OPTION

Bahutule also revealed that Abhishek Sharma has been working on his left-arm spin during practice, but said any decision to use him in a match would depend on the captain and the conditions.

"Abhishek keeps practising. He is somebody who, in the nets, keeps working on his bowling. He always tries to contribute through his bowling. But it's all about the captain's instinct on the ground. He has to go according to that," he said.

The coach added that Abhishek was prepared to contribute with the ball whenever the situation demanded it.INDIA LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK

Bahutule also reflected on India's difficult outing at Eden Park, where the ground's unusual dimensions and short boundaries made life challenging for the bowlers.

He acknowledged that India had been clear about their plans and strengths but had failed to execute them against New Zealand's aggressive batting.

"Eden Park, obviously, it's a challenging ground in terms of dimensions. But I think we were very clear as to what we wanted to do. We were clear in terms of our strengths. And we wanted to execute our skills to whatever we could really work towards. But it didn't happen," he said.

Despite the defeat, Bahutule felt India had adapted well to the different pitches and conditions in the first three matches. He said the team would assess its options before deciding on the combination for Hamilton.

"We will go to the next venue and decide as to what combination would be ideal. They might get an opportunity, but let's see how it turns out at Hamilton," he said.

Bahutule also pointed to the early wickets India lost in the powerplay as a significant factor in the defeat, suggesting that the batting collapse compounded the problems created by New Zealand's big total.- Ends