Kuldeep’s continued omission raises questions over India’s selection policy

New Delhi, July 21: Kuldeep Yadav’s continued exclusion from India’s playing XI has once again come under scrutiny after the left-arm wrist-spinner failed to feature in the recently concluded ODI series against England, raising serious questions over the team’s preference for utility all-rounders over specialist match-winners.
Despite being included in the squad, the 31-year-old did not play a single match in the three-ODI series, including the series decider at Lord’s, where India fielded four specialist tailenders but still overlooked one of the world’s most successful wrist-spinners.
Kuldeep’s absence has surprised many, especially given his outstanding ODI record.
Since making his debut in 2017, he has claimed more wickets than any other spinner in one-day internationals and boasts better averages and economy rates than leading contemporary spinners such as Australia’s Adam Zampa and England’s Adil Rashid.
His omission has also reignited debate over India’s growing reliance on so-called “bits-and-pieces” all-rounders—players who are yet to firmly establish themselves as either frontline batters or bowlers.
Throughout his international career, Kuldeep has often found himself competing for limited opportunities.
During India’s Test dominance, the presence of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, both genuine all-rounders, restricted his appearances despite an impressive bowling average of just over 22 in the longest format. While India’s emphasis on batting depth has frequently influenced team selection, critics argue that the strategy has come at the expense of specialist bowlers capable of changing matches in the middle overs.
The trend has become increasingly evident in recent years, with India often opting for additional batting options rather than attacking bowlers.
The issue resurfaced at Lord’s, where conditions were expected to assist spin, yet India preferred rookie pace bowlers over Kuldeep, despite his experience and proven ability to break partnerships. Former cricketers and analysts noted that the dry surface appeared tailor-made for wrist-spin, making his exclusion even more surprising.
The repeated omission has also highlighted what appears to be a disconnect between the national selectors and the team management. While selectors have continued to include Kuldeep in India’s squads, the coaching staff has consistently left him on the bench.
Questions have also emerged over whether the management believes Kuldeep is no longer at his best following a dip in form after the 2023 ODI World Cup. If technical or confidence-related issues exist, many believe it is the responsibility of India’s coaching staff—including the specialist spin-bowling coach—to help the spinner rediscover his rhythm rather than allow one of the country’s premier match-winners to spend extended periods on the sidelines.
With Kuldeep approaching his 32nd birthday and still possessing one of the finest records among wrist-spinners in world cricket, concerns are growing that India may be underutilising a bowler capable of making a decisive impact in the 50-over format. (Agencies)