Former India spinner R Ashwin has questioned the Indian team management's decision to leave Kuldeep Yadav out of the playing XI during the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies. Ashwin expressed surprise over the decision, arguing that Kuldeep's spin variations could have troubled the West Indies batters. Kuldeep played in the first two T20I matches in Lucknow and Ranchi but was left out of the playing XI for the matches in Indore and Hyderabad. He took two wickets for 33 runs in the opening match before conceding 53 runs in the second game, which India went on to lose. India's bowling struggles continued in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, where the West Indies scored 247 runs in 20 overs and secured a 24-run victory. Reacting to Kuldeep's omission, Ashwin said he could not understand why the team management appeared to have lost confidence in the left-arm wrist spinner.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, "It is very surprising because, on a ground where you expect to get some bounce, I know it has not always been a happy hunting ground for spinners, but the West Indies batters are struggling to pick his googly and leg-spin," Ashwin said. "So if you are leaving Kuldeep out against them, it lacks a bit of common sense," Ashwin added.
Ashwin also explained that he could understand why the team management might have decided to leave Kuldeep out in Indore, considering the ground's relatively small boundaries. However, he disagreed with the suggestion that Kuldeep's performance was responsible for India's defeat in Ranchi. "I was surprised. Kuldeep was not picked in Indore, and I would still endorse that decision because I can understand that the ground is small," Ashwin explained. "But you are almost making an issue out of it by suggesting that India's loss in Ranchi was because of Kuldeep. That, in itself, is wrong," Ashwin said.
Kuldeep had enjoyed an excellent ODI series against the West Indies earlier in the month. He picked up seven wickets in three matches and finished as India's leading wicket-taker in the series. His performances in the ODI format demonstrated his ability to trouble West Indies batters with his variations. Ashwin believes these qualities could also have made Kuldeep a valuable option in the T20I series. With India's bowling attack struggling to contain the opposition in the fourth match, questions have emerged over the team's selection decisions and its approach to using experienced bowlers. With the T20I series level at 2-2, India and the West Indies are set to meet in the fifth and final match in Bengaluru. Both teams will be eager to win the series, making the final encounter an important test for their players and team management.