‘Kuldeep offers something extra…-’ Former India player criticizes India’s tactics after series loss against Australia

Ex-India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recommends including Kuldeep Yadav in India’s final ODI lineup against Australia in Sydney. Ashwin emphasized that Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist-spin offers a distinct advantage that could trouble Australian batters.

Kuldeep has been absent from the first two matches of the series, during which India suffered back-to-back defeats. These losses handed Australia a 2-0 lead and ensured they clinched the three-match ODI series even before the final game.

Ashwin believes that including Kuldeep in the last game could add variety to India’s bowling attack and potentially give the team a chance to end the series on a high note, providing valuable exposure to the young spinner in challenging conditions.

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Ravichandran Ashwin on Kuldeep Yadav’s Presence in Playing 11:

On his YouTube show ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ravichandran Ashwin detailed how Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion might have strengthened India’s bowling attack, highlighting the unique challenges the left-arm wrist-spinner poses for opposition batters and why he could have impacted the series outcome.

R Ashwin said, “ Axar Patel and Washington Sundar both took wickets, so we can’t fault their efforts. But the key is taking wickets. Look at Adam Zampa—he took four wickets, and his ball spins too. Think about it, has Cooper Connolly ever faced Kuldeep? Matthew Short, maybe here and there. Alex Carey has faced him but struggled. Mitchell Owen hasn’t played against him at all.”

He further said, “ This Australian batting lineup hasn’t seen Kuldeep before. Historically, everyone who faces him early on struggles. So leaving him out isn’t the wisest call. I hope he gets a game in Sydney. Harshit Rana has contributed with both bat and ball, but Kuldeep offers something extra—he’s a proven wicket-taker.”

India faces a final opportunity to prevent a series sweep in Sydney on Saturday. In Adelaide, India scored 264/9, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s 73 off 97 balls and Shreyas Iyer’s 61, but Australia’s Adam Zampa (4/60) and Xavier Bartlett (3 wickets, including Kohli’s duck) dominated the bowling.

Australia easily chased India’s 264-run target, finishing with over three overs remaining. Cooper Connolly led the innings with an unbeaten 61 from 53 balls, hitting five fours and a six, while Matt Short added a fluent fifty to guide the chase.

With the series already lost, India aims to restore some pride in the final ODI. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin’s comments have sparked discussion about Kuldeep Yadav’s absence, emphasizing how the left-arm wrist-spinner could have added variety and strengthened India’s bowling attack in the series, potentially altering the outcome of earlier matches.