Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has slammed team management for not playing Kuldeep Yadav in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Yadav didn’t play a single game in the T20I series against the Kiwis despite India taking an impregnable lead of 3-0 after the first three games.
The wrist spinner hasn’t received consistent chances across all three formats, which has been surprising as he has performed decently. India’s team management has backed all-rounders ahead of specialist bowlers and thus Yadav has received his chances sporadically.
Yadav has scalped 201 wickets in 124 ODI matches at an average of 26.94 and it would be interesting to note if he gets his chance in the ODI series.
“I will not be surprised if they don’t play him. He has to. But the way they are using him, it is quite crazy. If you have to take one spinner to South Africa, it has to be Kuldeep,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
Ashwin highlighted how Indian bowlers didn’t have any bowling plans against Daryl Mitchell and added that Mitchell Santner was the most successful bowler in the series but India didn’t back Kuldeep Yadav.
He added, “94% of Daryl Mitchell’s runs have been on the leg-side. And if this was once, it’s fine. In five T20Is on the trot, India were not able to bowl wide. Let that sink in. This is international cricket. It is a big thing. I would be really concerned. The way they have used spinners as well. Mitchell Santner was the highest wicket-taker in his series. We have not backed Kuldeep at all. You can say he also got hit, but he is a confidence bowler. If he does not play, he will not give you the best possible result.”
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday.
