"It's very surprising" - Aakash Chopra flabbergasted over Kuldeep Yadav move by Indian selectors

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra is surprised by the absence of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the three-match T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series. Aakash Chopra also questioned the exclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad from India squads for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.

The selectors picked nine players from India's T20 World Cup 2024-winning campaign. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from T20I cricket, while Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah have reportedly been rested. The selection did not provide an official statement on Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal's exclusion.

Suryakumar Yadav will captain Team India in the upcoming three T20Is against Sri Lanka. Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi will handle the spin duties. The T20I series will commence on July 27 in Pallekele.

Kuldeep Yadav's Name Is Not There in T20 Cricket - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra noted that Kuldeep Yadav's exclusion from the T20I squad is unexpected given his recent success and the World Cup win. Chopra added that Kuldeep is part of the India squad for the three-match ODI series on the same tour.

"Kuldeep Yadav's name is not there in T20 cricket. It's very surprising because the guy has come just now after winning the World Cup but his name is not there in T20 cricket. Has something happened that we don't know about? He is going with the ODI setup. I have got no idea why he isn't playing T20Is," Chopra said.

The former India opener questioned whether selectors are shifting their focus away from Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja. Chopra stated that he wasn't sure Jadeja made himself available for ODI matches.

"Yuzi Chahal also comes to mind. You were just now part of the World Cup. After that, you are nowhere. Ravindra Jadeja is also not part of ODI cricket. What's happening there? He has himself retired from T20Is but would have been available in ODIs. If he is available and is not being played despite that, have Team India started looking in some other direction?" Chopra added.

Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are included as spinners in both the T20I and ODI squads. Kuldeep Yadav is the wrist-spinner for the ODIs, while Ravi Bishnoi is selected for the T20Is.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Has Been Left Out In Both Formats - Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator also expressed concerns about Ruturaj Gaikwad's exclusion from both formats. Chopra highlighted that Gaikwad led the Indian cricket team six months ago but is now missing from both T20I and ODI squads.

"Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out in both formats. What did Ruturaj Gaikwad do that his name hasn't come? Six months ago, you were worthy of becoming the captain of a team, a team that had Shubman Gill who wasn't playing, but Shubman has become the vice-captain now and Ruturaj is not even part of the team, neither in T20Is nor in ODIs. Is that right?"

The selectors did not include a backup opener in either squad for the upcoming series. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the only specialist openers in the T20I squad. Gill is expected to open alongside Rohit Sharma in the ODIs.

Also read: "I hope to keep receiving your support"- Suryakumar Yadav after beating Hardik Pandya to India's T20I Captaincy