Mohammad Kaif slammed the Indian captain, Shubman Gill, and the team management for not picking Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the first ODI against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, October 19. The former India batter gave the example of the legendary Shane Warne, noting that he excelled in all formats on Australian soil.
Kaif felt that India had all bases covered except a wicket-taking bowler like Kuldeep. It was surprising to see the left-arm wrist spinner failing to make
it into the playing XI as he had been in tremendous form in the preceding series for the Men in Blue. He finished as the highest wicket-taker in the T20 Asia Cup and the Test series against the West Indies.
"It was a test of all the bowlers and Gill as well. He did not play Kuldeep in the XI. You covered everything but did not play a wicket-taking bowler. Shane Warne was successful in all formats in Australia. I was disappointed that Kuldeep did not play. Kuhnamann bagged two wickets. You have compromised with quality for quantity," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Furthermore, Kaif said that it was the bowlers’ responsibility to step up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami and win the match for their country.
"In this team there were many part-time bowlers. Nitish Reddy is not a complete bowler. On such a pitch even Sundar is not a complete bowler. Harshit Rana would be disappointed with his bowling. It was the bowlers' responsibility to win this game. I know it was a low score. But when will you win games as bowlers then? Will you win only with Bumrah and Shami?” he added.
India were defending a 131-run target in 26 overs in the rain-curtailed affair. Only Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh conceded runs at economy rates of less than 6. Australia romped home in 21.1 overs with seven wickets to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
