New Delhi: Former India spinner R Ashwin has lashed out at the Indian team management over Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from the first ODI against Australia
in Perth on Sunday. Calling out India’s obsession with all-rounders, Ashwin questioned when a prolific wicket-taker like Kuldeep would be utilised properly.
The former spinner argued that Kuldeep could have proven effective at the Perth Stadium, which is a big ground. India lost the first ODI against Australia by seven wickets after failing to defend a total of 131 runs in the rain-affected encounter, which was reduced to a 26-over-a-side contest. With the win, Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Kuldeep was left warming the bench in the game as India played two spin all-rounders – Axar Patel and Washington Sundar over him. Axar and Washington were preferred despite India including Nitish Reddy as a pace all-rounder in the team. Ashwin said head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill should also focus on their bowling department instead of shielding batters with all-rounders.
“I can understand why there are two spinners playing in the team, along with Nitish Reddy. They want that batting depth, because Axar and Washington can bat, but bowling ke upar bhi thoda dhayan dedo yaar (concentrate on bowling as well). In these big grounds, if Kuldeep can’t bowl with a lot of freedom, then where will he play? And there will be overspin, which will get him more bounce,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Questioning Gambhir’s policy of playing extra all-rounders to shield batters, Ashwin urged the Indian team head coach to trust his batters and ask them to take responsibility. The former spinner said India should play their best bowlers in every game if they have a pace all-rounder like Nitish in the side.
“See, I understand that they will talk about this batting depth, but if that is going to help you win games, then batters should be able to take the responsibility. If they are playing extra batters, then they are again shielding the batting line-up. I will always say, play your best bowlers. Don’t pick a player only because you want to extend your batting. Kitne all-rounders chaiye aapko (How many all-rounders do you want)? You already have three. Even after having Nitish in the side, if you can’t play your best bowlers, then I can’t get it at all,” he added.
Will Kuldeep make the cut in India’s XI in 2nd ODI?
Kuldeep has been one of India’s best performers with the ball over the last couple of months. The left-arm spinner was the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2025, where he picked up 17 wickets in 7 matches, playing a key role in India’s triumph. Kuldeep continued his impressive run in the recently concluded two-match Test series against West Indies at home with 12 wickets in two matches.
However, Kuldeep is unlikely to make the cut in India’s playing XI for the 2nd ODI against Australia, which will be played at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Thursday, October 23. India are likely to retain the same bowling attack, which consisted of three specialist pacers – Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, two spin all-rounders and a pace all-rounder.
Sundar will have to make way if Kuldeep is to be included in the XI. However, that would mean compromising on batting depth, which India might not be comfortable with after making a losing start to the series.
