Kuldeep Yadav remained unused throughout India's five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which the visitors won 3-2. The left-arm wrist spinner's absence from the playing XI has drawn scrutiny from former India selector Venkatapathy Raju, who has raised concerns about the player's lack of game time despite being selected across all three formats.
Raju addressed the broader issue of Kuldeep's role in the squad and the team management's approach to player rotation and development, particularly in the context
of upcoming ODI World Cup preparation.
Raju expressed surprise at the team's handling of Kuldeep's selection and playing time.
"It's surprising. We are all former cricketers who sit here. We do commentary and then we have our own interactions. When you take Kuldeep, why are you not making him play? We all know wrist spinners are such an asset in white-ball cricket, right? And then, when you have him in all three formats and sitting on the bench, it's quite surprising. Or you allow him to go play domestic cricket. Because any spinner – might be wrist, left-arm, whatever – the more matches they play, the more control they have," he was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
The former selector also questioned why a player of such calibre would be picked for multiple formats but rarely allowed to contribute on the field.
"Because now we are already seeing New Zealand team batters, or any batter who is playing against India, they just attack nowadays because now we don't have the variations. The skill is there, but the variations are lacking in the present set-up. That's why I think Kuldeep has to be given more and more chances. Because we are trying with different medium-fast bowlers. But then, I think they are lacking that experience. So, I think if you pick Kuldeep, he should be playing. We might lose a couple of matches," he added.
"But then, bowling in those tight situations in international games, he can be one of those guys who can adjust. Because he is hardly playing any domestic cricket and then he is hardly playing any international cricket. So, for me, as a spinner, I feel very surprised that he has not been put in and did not to find a game in five T20s, especially after the series was won," Raju said.
Why is Kuldeep not playing despite being selected?
Raju's concerns centre on the impact of limited match exposure on a spinner's development and effectiveness. Over the past 24 months, India has played 35 matches in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) under the current team management. Kuldeep featured in only 3 of those matches, a statistic that underscores his minimal opportunities in crucial overseas conditions where wrist spinners typically play a vital role.
"Even now, sometimes we feel really surprised. Why is Kuldeep there in the team? We all know he is such a brilliant bowler, and he hardly gets to play. But they pick him in all three formats – T20s, 50s and Test matches. But then, he hardly plays, because the wrist spinner plays a very important role. We all know that, right?" he added.
"Then he has to be playing more games to be match-fit. So, experience-wise, we don't have to bother about (Virat) Kohli or Rohit (Sharma) – as long as they are fit enough, they are always an asset for a team," Raju added.
Raju's position reflects a broader debate within Indian cricket circles about squad management and player development strategy. The selector's argument suggests that either Kuldeep should receive consistent playing time in international matches or be permitted to build match fitness through domestic cricket. This approach would ensure he remains sharp and ready for high-pressure situations in upcoming tournaments, rather than remaining on the bench across multiple formats.
