Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on Kuldeep Yadav’s omission for the third ODI against England. Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, there was no place in the playing XI for the wrist spinner.

Yadav was also not picked in the first two ODIs against England as the spin duo of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were picked ahead of him. 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.

India made three changes to their playing XI as KL Rahul, Prince Yadav and Arshdeep Singh were added to the team.

“The only defense for not playing Kuldeep usually is that the batting finishes at number 7, wonder how it feels to have Arshdeep at number 8 today! Adding Bumrah’s absence to that, one can only feel bad for Kuldeep. Trust me, this can affect the rythm and confidence of a bowler,” Ashwin posted on X.

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. The UP spinner also has the skills to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs.

The wrist spinner took 10 wickets in 12 matches of IPL 2026 for Delhi Capitals and then played against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Indian bowlers looked toothless on Sunday as England’s opening pair of Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett added 192 runs for the opening alliance.

Prasidh Krishna accounted for Jacob Bethell with a short delivery after the left-hander scored a fine knock of 91 runs.