In the wake of India’s crushing ODI series defeat against Australia, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a scathing critique of the team’s selection strategy—zeroing in on one baffling omission: Kuldeep Yadav. With the series already lost, Ashwin’s comments have ignited a fierce debate over whether India’s pursuit of ‘batting depth’ has come at the cost of genuine wicket-taking threat.
Why Kuldeep Yadav’s Absence Is Raising Eyebrows
Kuldeep Yadav, India’s premier left-arm wrist-spinner, remains a spectator despite Australia’s batting lineup showing clear vulnerability against quality spin. Ashwin argues that keeping Kuldeep out is “not a very wise call,” especially on Australian pitches where his variations could have exploited the unfamiliarity of home batters .
“The Australian batters don’t face wrist-spin regularly. Kuldeep’s googly and wrong’un could have created chaos—particularly in Perth, where the big boundaries actually favor spinners who can contain and deceive,” Ashwin explained .
Ashwin’s Core Argument: Wickets Over Batting Depth
The former Test ace questioned the logic behind packing the XI with part-time bowlers and all-rounders at the expense of a proven match-winner. “How many all-rounders do you need? At some point, you must prioritize taking 10 wickets,” he remarked pointedly .
This sentiment echoes growing frustration among fans and experts alike. India’s middle overs bowling has lacked penetration, with seamers struggling to break partnerships and off-spinners offering predictable lines. Kuldeep, by contrast, brings a unique dimension—a rarity in modern ODI cricket.
Series Context: What Went Wrong for India?
India lost the first two ODIs comprehensively, with the batting collapsing under pressure and the bowling attack failing to capitalize on early breakthroughs. The absence of a genuine wicket-taking spinner in the middle overs allowed Australian batsmen like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to settle in.
Here’s a quick look at India’s bowling performance in the first two ODIs:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 20 | 98 | 4 | 4.90 |
| Mohammed Shami | 18 | 112 | 2 | 6.22 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 20 | 105 | 2 | 5.25 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Notice the glaring gap: no frontline wrist-spinner was deployed. Kuldeep’s career ODI economy of 4.96 and strike rate of 34.2 balls per wicket highlight his efficiency—a stark contrast to the containment-focused approach that failed in Australia.
What’s Next? A Final Chance in the Decider
With the third and final ODI on the horizon, all eyes are on team management. Will they heed Ashwin’s advice and unleash Kuldeep in a dead rubber? Doing so could not only salvage pride but also send a strong message about valuing specialist skills over perceived balance.
As Ashwin bluntly put it: “Don’t pick players just for batting depth. Pick them to win you games” .
Sources
Times of India: R Ashwin slams India’s strategy after series defeat