Ravichandran Ashwin urges India to back Kuldeep Yadav as frontline spinner for 2027 World Cup
Ashwin’s call for Kuldeep Yadav
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has advocated for Kuldeep Yadav to be established as India’s primary spinner leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ashwin expressed concerns regarding the team management’s selection approach, particularly after Kuldeep was not included in the playing XI for the first ODI against England at Edgbaston. Instead, finger-spin bowling all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar were chosen for the match.
Ashwin highlighted Kuldeep’s match-winning capabilities and his ability to bowl effectively in various phases of a game. He also noted Kuldeep’s strong record in South Africa. Ashwin believes that for Kuldeep to approach the 2027 World Cup with the right mindset, he needs consistent opportunities and greater confidence from the team management. He stated that both finger-spinning all-rounders might not fit into the combination for the 2027 World Cup, suggesting that a slot for Kuldeep would open up if Harshit Rana is fit as a third seamer.
The decision to omit Kuldeep from the playing XI in the first ODI against England drew criticism from other former India cricketers as well. Abhishek Nayar, a former India assistant coach and current head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, criticized the team management for prioritizing batting depth at the expense of wicket-taking bowlers. Nayar emphasized that winning games often depends on picking up wickets, and that a strong bowling attack is crucial.
Concerns over selection strategy
The team management’s strategy of opting for a long batting lineup, which includes multiple all-rounders, has been a recurring theme. In the first ODI against England, India selected three all-rounders—Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube—alongside a six-man bowling attack that included Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. This approach meant that Kuldeep, a specialist wicket-taking spinner, was left out.
Nayar argued that while batting depth is desirable, it should not come at the cost of a team’s ability to take wickets. He pointed out that while Bumrah and Krishna are wicket-takers, the other bowling options were more economical than attacking. Nayar described Kuldeep as an “X-factor” in the middle overs, suggesting his inclusion would provide a crucial attacking option.
Former India batter Parthiv Patel echoed Nayar’s sentiments, labeling the decision to exclude Kuldeep as a “defensive move.” Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also expressed surprise at Kuldeep’s omission, especially after England captain Harry Brook indicated that the pitch might assist spinners later in the game. Shastri highlighted Kuldeep’s potential impact on a spinning pitch and his good record in South Africa.
All-rounder options and captaincy praise
Ashwin also cautioned against over-reliance on Shivam Dube as a primary all-rounder option for the 50-over format. He stated that his first-choice all-rounder would always be Hardik Pandya, followed by Nitish Kumar Reddy. Ashwin suggested that Dube should be considered a last-choice all-rounder for ODI cricket, despite acknowledging Dube’s reasonable bowling performance in the match where he bowled six overs.
In addition to his comments on team selection, Ashwin praised skipper Shubman Gill’s recent batting form and captaincy. Gill top-scored with 80 before retiring hurt due to cramps in the match against England, and Ashwin noted his effective bowling changes. Ashwin expressed optimism about Gill’s potential as an authoritative captain in the 50-over format, citing his performances in the IPL and as captain of the Gujarat Titans, as well as his leadership of the Test team.
Ashwin also spoke positively about young pacer Gurnoor Brar, describing him as a highly impressive and tall bowler with good airspeed. He believes Brar has the potential to be a champion bowler for India across formats, including red-ball cricket, provided he is managed carefully to avoid injuries. India is scheduled to play the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday.
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Source: telanganatoday.com
