India are set to face New Zealand in a five-match ODI series beginning November 4 at Auckland, following their 3-2 T20I series victory. The Gautam Gambhir-led team management has adopted a specific approach to squad composition and playing XI selection for the upcoming contests.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has offered a candid assessment of Kuldeep Yadav's prospects in the series. Kaif believes the left-arm wrist spinner's inclusion in the playing XI hinges entirely on whether the team management
is willing to shift from their established preference for three specialist fast bowlers.
"When this team carries eight batsmen, Kuldeep misses out. We have seen this many times. Kuldeep's inclusion means you have to reduce one fast bowler -- two fast bowlers plus Reddy, then he can play. But with three proper pacers plus Reddy and Axar Patel, you won't be able to fit Kuldeep in," Kaif said.
What conditions must change for Kuldeep to play?
Kaif elaborated on the conditions under which Kuldeep could feature in the XI. The former batter suggested that a shift in the team's tactical approach would be necessary to accommodate the wrist spinner alongside the other bowling options.
"However, if you keep an open mind - like they played Varun in the last T20 because fast bowlers were getting hit - considering wrist spin, bounce, and top-spin, you can play Kuldeep. Two fast bowlers, Reddy, Kuldeep, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir... otherwise, if you play three main fast bowlers, Kuldeep won't play under this team's mindset," Kaif said.
India named a split squad for the ODI series because several players will prepare with the red ball for the Wellington Test scheduled for November 19. Kuldeep was included in the squad for the first three ODIs, alongside captain Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel.
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The Indian ODI side is coming into this series on the back of a 2-1 win at home against the West Indies last month.
