October 20, 2025 : Despite a game-changing spell in his last ODI, the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, and finishing as the highest wicket-taker in India’s victorious men’s T20 Asia Cup campaign last month, followed by a Player of the Match performance in the Delhi Test against the West Indies last week, Kuldeep Yadav was left out of the playing XI for the ODI series opener against Australia in Perth on Sunday. The move left legendary Ravichandran Ashwin frustrated, as he questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir’s obsession with including more all-rounders solely to deepen the batting lineup.
Speaking on his YouTube show, Ashwin urged Gambhir to let go of his usual process of picking a combination and concentrate equally on the bowling department. The former India bowler, who retired from international cricket last December, found no logic in India not picking Kuldeep for the opening game at the Optus Stadium in Perth, where the big boundaries and the bouncy track could have aided him perfectly.
“I can understand why there are two spinners playing in the team, along with Nitish Reddy. They want that batting depth, because Axar and Washington can bat, but bowling ke upar bhi thoda dhayan dedo yaar (concentrate on bowling as well). In these big grounds, if Kuldeep can’t bowl with a lot of freedom, then where will he play? And there will be overspin, which will get him more bounce,” he said.
Summary:
Ravichandran Ashwin criticized Gautam Gambhir’s team selection remarks, questioning the need for multiple all-rounders and warning that ignoring Kuldeep Yadav could create mounting team pressure.