In a recent video, former Indian spinner R Ashwin expressed his displeasure with the Indian team's management regarding the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav from the first ODI against Australia. Ashwin questioned why a proven wicket-taker like Kuldeep was not utilized in the high-stakes match at Perth Stadium.
India fell short by seven wickets in this rain-affected encounter, failing to defend a reduced target of 131 runs.
| Match | Overs | Total Runs | Result |
| 1st ODI vs Australia | 26 | 131 | Lost by 7 wickets |
Ashwin pointed out the strategy of playing two spin all-rounders—Axar Patel and Washington Sundar—over Kuldeep, even with Nitish Reddy included as a pace all-rounder. He emphasized the importance of having the best bowlers on the field, suggesting that India should move away from the obsession with all-rounders.
“When will Kuldeep be utilized properly if not now? We need to trust our batters and focus on bowling,” Ashwin remarked, hinting at the need for better team selection.
Kuldeep has shown impressive form, taking 17 wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 and performing well in recent Test series against West Indies. Nevertheless, he may remain sidelined for the second ODI, scheduled for October 23, as India looks to maintain its current bowling lineup.
As the series continues, questions linger on the balance between batting depth and effective bowling strategies.