Kuldeep Yadav’s confidence could take a hit after repeated ODI snubs: Ashwin

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the Indian team management’s decision to repeatedly omit Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI, warning that the left-armer’s confidence may suffer due to the continued omission.

Kuldeep was again left out for the third and final ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday despite India missing two key bowling options. Jasprit Bumrah was unavailable due to injury while Washington Sundar was ruled out with a hamstring problem.

India opted to field four specialist pacers along with left-arm all-rounder Axar Patel as their only spinner, leaving the side without a sixth option.

Reacting to the team selection, Ashwin questioned the logic behind Kuldeep’s exclusion, especially as India’s batting expanded to No.8 with Arshdeep Singh in the playing eleven.

“The only defense against not playing Kuldeep is that the batting usually ends at No. 7, wonder how it feels to have Arshdeep at No. 8 today! Add to that Bumrah’s absence, Kuldeep can only feel bad. Trust me it can affect a bowler’s rhythm and confidence,” Ashwin wrote on X.

Kuldeep has now been left out of all three ODIs on India’s tour of England after he was also rested in the previous T20I series. His lack of opportunities extended beyond the England tour. During India’s home ODI series against Afghanistan earlier this year, Kuldeep featured in just one match, returning figures of 0 for 42 in Lucknow.

The Indian team management has consistently preferred Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in the white-ball format due to the greater batting depth they provide. Both all-rounders have repaid that faith with useful contributions with both bat and ball, but Kuldeep has often found himself on the sidelines due to his limited batting ability despite being India’s leading wrist-spinner.

Kuldeep has also gone through a tough phase in recent months. He struggled for consistency during IPL 2026 with Delhi Capitals before moving to Lucknow Super Giants in a trade that saw Rishabh Pant return to Delhi Capitals.

Despite recent setbacks, Kuldeep remains one of India’s most successful ODI bowlers. The 31-year-old has taken 194 wickets in 121 ODIs, making his prolonged absence from the playing XI a major talking point as India continue to favor batting depth over a specialist wicket spinner.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

19 Jul 2026 18:56 IST