Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth questioned the team’s think tank decision to drop Kuldeep Yadav for the opening game of the three-match ODI series against Australia, which was played at the Optus Stadium, Perth on Sunday.
India suffered a seven-wicket loss (DLS method) in the opening game of the series against the hosts.
Meanwhile, Yadav recently scalped 12 wickets in two Test matches against the West Indies while playing in home conditions. Kuldeep was awarded Player of the Match in the Delhi Test after he bagged eight wickets in the match.
However, India decided to play with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as the two finger spinners in the team, but the ploy didn’t work.
Srikkanth highlighted that spinners from both teams did a decent job. While Matthew Kuhnemann returned with impressive figures of 2-26 in four overs he bowled, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar took one wicket each.
“Who gave them crucial breakthroughs apart from Starc and Hazelwood? It was Kuhnemann. Axar also took an important wicket for us. The spinners had done a good job. They would always do a better job. Wrist-spinners are potential match winners. I did not understand the logic why they dropped Kuldeep. I would still play Kuldeep, Washington, and Axar. Spinners will do a better job in these conditions than medium pacers,” Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
The former aggressive opener noted that Yadav is bowling at the top of his game in the red-ball version and thus his exclusion was surprising.
“He is bowling so well in Tests, he bowled so well in the Asia Cup. He has played well in T20 cricket and you say things like on Australian wickets ball does not turn so we are not playing Kuldeep Yadav. It is a dangerous statement and I do not understand this. Forget the combination and eight batters. Go for the best players and the best team. How many runs can an number eight batter get you anyway? Forget seven batters eight batters, Kuldeep just has to play. Any other team, he would just walk in. It is very sad,” he added.
The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
