India ask big questions Kuldeep’s absence from T20I squad: Common sense missing

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the team management’s decision to drop Kuldeep Yadav from the last two T20Is against the West Indies, saying the arm-spinner’s absence could have made a difference in the hotly contested series.

India’s bowling attack struggled again in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday, conceding 247 for 3 before the hosts were restricted to 223 in their chase. India’s 24-run defeat leveled the five-match series at 2-2which established the decision in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Taking to his YouTube channel *Ash Ki Baat*, Ashwin said that leaving Kuldeep out against the West Indies did not make much sense given the difficulties their batsmen faced against his variations.

“It’s very surprising because I know on a ground where you expect some bounce, it hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for the spinner. But the West Indies batsmen are struggling to find his (Kuldeep’s) googly and leg spin. So if you keep Kuldeep against them, it lacks a bit of common sense. It could have been very surprising because I think his presence was different from Ashwin-2.

IND vs WI 4TH T20I: MAIN | SCORECARD

Kuldeep played the first two matches in Lucknow and Ranchi before being left out of the playing XI for the Indore and Hyderabad games. He returned figures of 2 for 33 in the series opener but conceded 53 runs in four overs in Ranchi, including 24 in the 17th over.

While Kuldeep had an expensive outing, Ashwin felt it was unfair to make the spinner the scapegoat for India’s defeat. He also supported the decision to leave him out in Indore, pointing to the country’s dimensions, but questioned why the team management stuck to the decision in Hyderabad.

“I was surprised. Kuldeep was not picked in Indore and I would still support the decision because I understand the ground is small. But you are almost making it an issue by suggesting that India’s loss in Ranchi was because of Kuldeep. That in itself is wrong,” he added.

Kuldeep’s recent record against the West Indies offered another reason to consider his inclusion. Earlier this month, he took seven wickets in three matches in the ODI series to finish as India’s leading wicket-taker against the same opposition.

Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers have struggled to contain the West Indies in the T20I series. The visitors’ 247 for 3 in Hyderabad proved too much for the hosts who lost by 24 runs despite scoring 223.

With the series level at 2-2, India will need to fine-tune their selection and bowling plans for Saturday’s decider in Bengaluru. Whether Kuldeep will return to the side remains to be seen.

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