Kuldeep Yadav's impressive performance in India's recent Asia Cup 2025 match against the UAE has ignited a debate about his role in the team, with Sanjay Manjrekar seemingly taking a dig at Gautam Gambhir's past decisions regarding the spinner.

In the Asia Cup match against the UAE, Kuldeep Yadav delivered a remarkable spell, taking 4 wickets for just 7 runs in 2.1 overs. His performance played a key role in India's dominant victory, where they chased down a target of 57 runs in just 4.3 overs. Kuldeep's figures were among the best bowling performances in Asia Cup T20 history. This performance came after a period where Kuldeep spent the summer on the bench during India's Test matches in England.

Following Kuldeep's performance, Sanjay Manjrekar posted a comment on social media that many interpreted as a subtle jab at Gautam Gambhir. Manjrekar wrote, "Kuldeep has 3 in one over. May not play the next game now," along with a cheeky emoji. This remark was seen as a reference to instances where Kuldeep has been left out of the team in the past, despite his potential to make an impact. Some fans linked Manjrekar's comment to Gautam Gambhir, suggesting that Kuldeep was overlooked during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England due to Gambhir's preferences as head coach.

Manjrekar has previously criticized the team management's decision to exclude Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI, particularly during the Test series against England. He argued that Kuldeep's inclusion could have made a significant impact and that the team might have been too focused on batting depth. Manjrekar suggested that Kuldeep should have been included in the final Test against England, replacing Shardul Thakur.

There have been arguments that Kuldeep's exclusion from the Test team was influenced by the preference for spin bowlers who can also contribute with the bat, such as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. However, others have argued that Kuldeep's wicket-taking ability should have been prioritized. Some experts and fans have voiced their support for Kuldeep's inclusion in the team, emphasizing his potential to change the course of a match.

Despite the criticism, some reports suggest that Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill have supported Kuldeep Yadav. They recognized his potential and fought for his inclusion in the team, even when faced with pressure to make other choices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include Kuldeep Yadav in the next game rests with the team management. However, Manjrekar's comment has added fuel to the ongoing debate about Kuldeep's role in the Indian team and whether he is being given enough opportunities to showcase his talent.