Kuldeep Yadav was India’s highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2025, and he impressed with his bowling performance in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa as well, but despite
that, he has failed to find a place in India’s playing XI for the ongoing first T20I in Cuttack. The 30-year-old spinner from Kanpur was left out of the playing XI for the match taking place at Barabati Stadium on Tuesday (December 9). Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy are two spin bowling options for the hosts in the series opener.
Along with Kuldeep, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are also warming the bench in the first T20I.
India’s decision to drop Kuldeep despite his four-wicket show in the third India-South Africa ODI has not gone down well with the fans. They have slammed Indian team management for their decision-making and questioned Kuldeep’s omission from the XI.
Kuldeep Yadav in SA ODIs – 3 matches 9 wickets, bowled match winning spells.
HE IS DROPPED FROM THE PLAYING 11 FOR T20I. Jai ho Gambhir baba ki 🙏
— Cricket🏏 Lover // ICT Fan Account (@CricCrazyV) December 9, 2025
Is Dube worthy to be backed ahead of Kuldeep’s bowling just because Kuldeep doesn’t bat in the T20 way?
I doubt it.
— archith (@InswinginMenace) December 9, 2025
In the recently concluded 3 match ODI series which was an absolute run fest, the guy picks up 9 wickets.
Return gift – He gets dropped from the 1st T20 against the same opponent.
Being Kuldeep is really tough! pic.twitter.com/ASPnVYUZL7
— Amit T (@amittalwalkar) December 9, 2025
Kuldeep yadav , Sanju Samson, Sundar and Harshit Rana is not playing .
I am Surprised with kuldeep Yadav sitting in the stand as world’s and India’s No. 1 bowler of all format. He has taken 9 wickets in the last series.
What is the reason of playing batter at no. 8 , if seven… pic.twitter.com/tdBLfdM7gk
— Chiku 👑 (@mrsnowwhite1000) December 9, 2025
The simple thing is – If your bowling is good enough then you don’t need an extra bowling allrounder or a batter in the team. Kuldeep Yadav has to start no matter what
— Cricket🏏 Lover // ICT Fan Account (@CricCrazyV) December 9, 2025
I am also surprised with Kuldeep sitting out. In T20Is batting till no. 7 is enough. We have to play 4 quality bowlers as well. And Kuldeep is that kind of spinner who can turn the ball in any pitch. Shivam Dube should have been dropped.
— Mrityunjoy 🇮🇳 (@Mrityunjoy_offl) December 9, 2025
Gambhir har baar kuldeep ko drop kr deta h… Wo aisa bowler h ki wicket leke dega extra batter ka scarcity feel nhi hone dega!!
Khelaya kro yr usko…even tough axar aur varun bhi bahut acha h still Kuldeep is a rare talent he deserves to play each match!!#INDvSA— Prashant Yadav (@Yadav__10) December 9, 2025
Kuldeep has played 49 T20I matches for India so far and has dismissed 88 batters. He is India’s highest wicket-taker in 2025. In 24 matches played so far this year across formats, Kuldeep has picked up 58 wickets.
Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (WK), Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje
