Gautam Gambhir’s ex-teammate gives him belt treatment over Kuldeep Yadav’s non-selection in India ODI XI

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has received a brutal bashing from his former teammate Parthiv Patel over the non-selection of the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the ODI Playing XI.

Parthiv Patel slammed the Gautam Gambhir-led team management for focusing too much on batting depth and snubbing Kuldeep Yadav despite him being in the form of his life.

Kuldeep Yadav warms the bench in Australia as Gautam Gambhir prefers all-rounders

The 30-year-old Kuldeep is arguably the best spinner in the world at the moment, but he finds it difficult to get a permanent spot in India's playing XI due to the head coach Gambhir giving preference to all-rounders.

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Kuldeep remained on the bench throughout the five-match Test series in England, and thankfully, due to spin-friendly pitches in the Asia Cup 2025, he featured in the India playing XI.

He did a remarkable job with the ball in the continental tournament and picked up 17 wickets in 7 innings at an average of 9.29, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the competition.

Kuldeep Yadav next featured in the home Test series against West Indies, where he bagged four wickets in Ahmedabad and eight wickets in Delhi.

Despite his red-hot form, Kuldeep Yadav hasn't gotten an opportunity to feature in India's ODI Playing XI against Australia in the first two matches as all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have gotten the preference.

We will definitely see Kuldeep Yadav playing in the third ODI - Parthiv Patel

During a discussion on ‘Cricket Live’, Parthiv Patel said that Kuldeep Yadav's participation in the third ODI against Australia is mandatory if India want to avoid a whitewash. He said (as quoted by Deccan Chronicle):

"We will definitely see Kuldeep Yadav playing in the third ODI. As far as the combination is concerned, India will have to trust their top order, whether it’s about performance or runs and stick with the right balance. There’s no need for an extra cushion in batting.

"Kuldeep Yadav can provide those crucial wickets in the middle overs that India has been missing. If your top-order batters get out early, that’s part of the game. You can’t keep adding more batters to cover for that. The focus should be on playing the best combination to win."

Kuldeep Yadav should have been part of the playing XI right from the first game - Varun Aaron

Meanwhile, Varun Aaron was of the opinion that Kuldeep Yadav should have been the starter in India's Playing XI in the ongoing ODI series. He elaborated:

"Kuldeep Yadav should have been part of the playing XI right from the first game of the series. You might have to sacrifice a batsman to make that happen, but it’s worth it. Playing just two fast bowlers in Australia isn’t ideal, but Kuldeep is someone who can get you wickets and those wickets make up for the runs you might lose by playing one batter fewer.

"At the moment, India seem to be relying on batters making mistakes to get wickets, whereas Kuldeep is a genuine wicket-taker who can create those breakthroughs on his own."

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