Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist-spinner, has received accolades from renowned Ravichandran Ashwin, who has also attacked the team’s administration for not giving him more opportunities. The former voiced concerns over Kuldeep’s treatment by the Indian cricket team, especially after he was excluded from the squad that faced England in the first One-Day International at Birmingham’s Edgbaston.
After Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep returned to the white-ball setup, Ashwin emphasised the need for better player management ahead of the 2027 ICC World Cup, which will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
In the first ODI, which took place in Birmingham on Tuesday, July 14, India chose spin all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar over Kuldeep despite choosing the wrist-spinner in the team. Ashwin believed that this exclusion was a grave error. England and India will start a three-match ODI series on Sunday, July 19, with the second game scheduled for Thursday, July 16, in Cardiff.
“I shall reiterate this regarding this Indian team. The combination for the 2027 World Cup will not include any of the finger-spinning all-rounders. Harshit Rana becomes the third seamer whenever Kuldeep’s position is filled and he is healthy and productive. Then that makes room for Kuldeep,” Ashwin stated on his Ash Ki Baat YouTube channel.
Is India making a mistake by underutilising Kuldeep Yadav?
Ashwin stated that he believed the present management wasn’t doing enough to support the wrist-spinner and that he was confident in his abilities to win games.
The former spinner noted that even though Kuldeep had a genuine opportunity because of Varun Chakaravarthy’s absence, the team needed to have more faith in his abilities and provide him frequent chances before next year’s global spectacle.
He is capable of bowling in any phase. “He has a strong track record in South Africa,” Ashwin said. “Kuldeep ought to receive greater support.” Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling was crucial in the World Cup. He is a spinner who can win matches.
“Kuldeep has not received enough support from this management. He is a match-winner, thus they ought to support him more. They should continue to provide him opportunities if he needs to enter the 2027 World Cup with the correct attitude. He ought to have a lot more self-assurance. Kuldeep Yadav should be the front-line spinner for India, in my opinion,” he continued.
Indian fans finally had something to rejoice after their team won the first ODI by six wickets. Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar were three of India’s top competitors. The Men in Blue needed this win after losing all seven Twenty20 Internationals during their tour of the United Kingdom.
The second ODI in Cardiff will be the main event on Thursday, July 16. India wants to bounce back and force a final match at Lord’s.
