The former Indian spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, has questioned the management’s selection procedure for the opening ODI of the three-match series against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. They decided to leave out the left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, from the playing eleven to keep two spin all-rounders- Washington Sundar and Axar Patel- in the eleven.

Ashwin, on his YouTube channel, exposed head coach Gautam Gambhir and co. for the team selection. He wondered how many all-rounder they would want in the eleven that they took their focus from the bowling attack.

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“I can understand why two spinners are 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 dhyan 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.” Ashwin expressed on his YouTube channel.

Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin exposes Gautam Gambhir’s decision to omit Kuldeep Yadav in AUS vs IND Perth ODI

India were restricted to 136/9 in their 26 overs under tough conditions amid several rain breaks as their top order failed terribly. Axar and Sundar, with the ball, combined to finish with figures of 2/33 in six overs at an economy rate of 5.50.

🚨Ravi Ashwin thrashed Gautam Gambhir for dropping Kuldeep Yadav & playing too many all rounders.

"Please focus on bowling too, if Kuldeep can't bowl on these big grounds with freedom then where is he gonna bowl? They will talk about this batting depth but it is batter's job to… pic.twitter.com/C4Uphr4Ed6

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 19, 2025

“See, I understand that they will talk about this batting depth, but if that is going to help you win games, then batters should be able to take the responsibility. If they are playing extra batters, then they are again shielding the batting line-up. I will always say, play your best bowlers.” The Chennai-born addressed.  

“Don’t pick a player only because you want to extend your batting. Kitne all-rounders chaiye aapko (How many all-rounders do you want)? You already have three. Even after having Nitish in the side, if you can’t play your best bowlers, then I can’t get it at all.” Ashwin concluded in the same YouTube video.