The exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav from the first two One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Australia has sparked debate among cricket experts, with former Indian players Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel voicing their concerns. The two have criticized the team management's strategy, emphasizing the importance of selecting the best possible combination to secure victories.
India has already lost the series to Australia, and is hoping to salvage some pride in the third ODI.
Parthiv Patel, speaking after the Adelaide ODI, stressed the necessity of including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the third ODI in Sydney. He argued that India's current approach of prioritizing batting depth is not sustainable and that the team needs Kuldeep's wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. Patel pointed out that the top-order batsmen failing is a part of the game, and adding extra batsmen to compensate for this is not the solution. Instead, he advocated for trusting the top order and focusing on achieving the right balance in the team. Patel told Star Sports that India needs to avoid padding the batting lineup. He believes that Kuldeep Yadav can provide crucial wickets in the middle overs.
Irfan Pathan also seems to be in agreement with Patel. Before the start of the series, Pathan had included Kuldeep Yadav in his predicted playing XI for the first ODI. Pathan highlighted the need for captain Shubman Gill to work closely with senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm unorthodox spinner, has been a key bowler for India in ODIs. He plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. His ability to deliver breakthroughs during the middle overs has played a critical role in many matches. In his ODI career, Kuldeep has played 113 matches and taken 181 wickets. In 2025, Kuldeep Yadav played 7 ODI matches and took 9 wickets.
Many fans and critics expected changes in the bowling department after India's pacers struggled to make an impact against Australia in transition. India's playing XI in both ODIs has relied heavily on batting, with five specialist batters and three bowling all-rounders, stretching the lineup down to number eight. Many felt that Kuldeep's inclusion could have added variety and control in the middle overs, which India struggled to manage in both matches.
With the series already decided, it remains to be seen whether the team management will heed the advice of these former players and give Kuldeep Yadav a chance in the final ODI.
