Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu has urged the team management to find a place for Kuldeep Yadav in the second ODI against New Zealand. Yadav didn’t play the series opener against the Kiwis, which the visitors won by five wickets.
The wrist spinner didn’t play a single game in the T20I series against the Blackcaps. Yadav hasn’t received regular chances across all formats as India has backed all-rounders ahead of him.
Naman Dhir was part of India’s playing XI in the opening ODI but he didn’t bowl a single over.
“I think it depends on the conditions. If New Zealand go on and give such wickets then they can go on and keep playing this attack. Whenever one of the fast bowlers looks a little tired, you can manage his workload by bringing in Mohammed Siraj. After a win in the first game, you would not want to change much. But I would definitely try to get Kuldeep into the mix, because he has been sitting on the bench for a while, and it is not good for him or the Indian side. So just test him out and see,” Rayudu said on Cricbuzz.
On the other hand, former Indian spinner Murali Kartik expressed surprise after Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav didn’t play the opening game.
“I have given up guessing about the playing XI now. I would have definitely, with my eyes closed, after the captain, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, I would have put Mohammed Siraj at No.11. But that did not happen. At No.10, I would have put Kuldeep Yadav; that also did not happen. So whatever works, as long as you keep winning, it is fine. It is too early to rotate the bowlers; if you have won, why change?” Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Saturday.
