Indian batter Hanuma Vihari expressed surprise after Kuldeep Yadav was not given a single game in three-match ODI series against England. Vihari reckons Yadav should have played in the third ODI at Lord’s.
The spin duo of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were picked ahead of Yadav in the first two ODIs. It is clear that the management is backing spin and seam-bowling all-rounders ahead of Yadav. Since July 2024, Kuldeep has featured in 38 games out of 103 matches across all formats for India.
Kuldeep has scalped 194 ODI wickets in 121 matches at an average of 27.05 and thus has an impressive record in the 50-over format.
“Lord’s is a slow wicket. On that wicket, you played four fast bowlers and did not play Kuldeep. It was a shocker. If you take him in the team but don’t give him a chance in a series like this, how will you pick him for the World Cup? This is a question everyone has to ask after losing a series like this,” Hanuma Vihari stated in a video on his YouTube channel.
Vihari expressed disappointment after India conceded 387 runs on the board despite playing with five main bowlers in the final game.
“Leave India losing the series aside. That is disappointing. But the way they lost is an even bigger concern. Going with five bowlers and conceding 388 runs is not something they normally do. If you look at the track record, bowling has won us many matches. The batting was always there. But we had main bowlers, back-up bowlers were strong. And we always had spinners who could hold back even the biggest teams. Who are there now? Axar is the only spinner and he is also giving runs.”
The 32-year-old questioned the selectors for not picking Mohammed Siraj in the ODI squad for England series.
“What is the team combination? They are taking players who performed in the IPL? or have express pace. But when you take inexperienced bowlers, will they be able to play the World Cup? Will you take all inexperienced bowlers to the World Cup? Siraj can be taken. Yes, you gave him rest in the T20I series, considering the workload from before the IPL. Couldn’t you have taken him for the ODIs at least?”
India’s next ODI series is at home against the West Indies.
