‘Absolutely zero confidence’: Ashwin questions Gautam Gambhir and team management about Kuldeep Yadav’s management | Cricket News
Kuldeep YadavIndia’s continued absence from the playing XI has drawn fresh criticism after the left-arm wrist spinner was overlooked for the entire ODI series against England, prompting the former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to question the team management’s faith in him. The spinner once again missed the third ODI at Lord’s on Sunday, though Jasprit Bumrah not available. His dismissal added to the debate over his role under the head coach Gautam Gambhir. Since Gambhir took charge on July 9, 2024, India have played 104 international matches across formats, but Kuldeep has been a part of only 38 of them. The lack of opportunities convinced Ashwin that the spinner was no longer part of the team’s plans. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that Kuldeep should stop waiting for opportunities that never come. “Kuldeep should not play at all, No need at all. This is a batsman in the world, who never understands a bowler’s confidence and rhythm. I am a big Indian cricket buff – I always think about Indian cricket. Even as the IPL continues, I keep thinking, ‘What will this do for Indian cricket?’ Kuldeep is at the stage where he will play till 35 or 36 years old. He has a good contract; he just went on the IPL trade – he must have packed his bags and come. as Mohammad Kaif said, what’s the point?” Ashwin also backed Kuldeep’s quality, describing him as the best wrist spinner in world cricket and arguing that his record compares favorably with some of the top white-ball spinners around the world. “Kuldeep has taken nearly 170 wickets from 120 matches. If you look at the wrist spinners around the world, he is better than Adam Zampa. We consider Adam Zampa one of the better white-ball spinners. He is ahead of all,” he said. The former India spinner admitted that he used to believe that Kuldeep should stay in the squad and continue to develop his batting while waiting for opportunities. However, the selection of the Indian team at Lord’s completely changed his outlook. “Before yesterday, I always said – Kuldeep should stay there with the kit bag and try to improve his batting. But after yesterday (third ODI), many things have changed… In this team, where you don’t need batting at number 8 – you went with bowling strength – and anyway, after Jasprit Bumrah’s loss, you still don’t take Kuldeep Yadav to manage. zero. The management of the team does not trust Kuldeep Yadav,” he said. Ashwin questioned what would happen to Kuldeep if he doesn’t get a place even though the conditions seem favorable for his inclusion. “After us, where is his chance? He should be number one now. But the confidence shown in him – no. What is Kuldeep’s intention to continue?” asked Ashwin. He also suggested that every dressing room naturally develops desirable players, but felt that Kuldeep’s situation has become more difficult. “I know everyone has their favorites. It’s impossible for someone to come in and say, ‘I’m going to treat everyone.’ Without even realizing it, you will have your favorites. That’s there, but it’s a very rare case. Yesterday was a big blow to Kuldeep.” Kuldeep last represented India during the home ODI series against Afghanistan in June, where he appeared in just one of the three matches. Earlier this year, he endured a disappointing ODI series against New Zealand and also made just one during India’s T20 World Cup campaign.
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