"Where will he bowl then?": Ashwin blasts ODI selection against Australia, questions overlooking of Kuldeep Yadav in Perth

CHENNAI: India's first ODI against Australia was played yesterday. In a rain-affected match, the Aussies scored the required 131 runs for the loss of just three wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method. India fielded a team consisting of three all-rounders to strengthen the batting line-up yesterday. Still, India could only score 136 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 26 overs.

The team management's decision to reduce the bowlers was widely criticised. Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were the only bowlers in the team. Apart from them, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel, who were all-rounders, were also in the bowling line-up, but they did not give enough results to the Indian bowling. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly criticised the team management's decision.

Ashwin questioned the inclusion of too many all-rounders in the team and the lack of Kuldeep Yadav as a spinner. Ashwin said that Kuldeep would have been a better option on the big grounds in Australia.

“I can understand why they're playing two spinners in the game along with Nitish Reddy. They want the batting depth because both Washington and Axar can bat. But man, at least give some attention to the bowling too. On these big grounds, if Kuldeep can't bowl with a lot of freedom, where will he bowl then? And there's going to be over spin which will help him get bounce as well,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“They will talk about this batting depth. But if you want to build your game around batting depth, then the batters have to take responsibility, right? It's the job of the batters to score the runs. If you're playing an extra batter, it's again about shielding the batters. Play your best bowlers I'll always say this play your best bowlers. Don't pick a team just to extend your batting,” he added.

Kuldeep Yadav played a pivotal role in India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory, taking the most wickets in the Asia Cup. He took 17 wickets at an average of 9.29. He also took 12 wickets in the two-match Test series against West Indies, leading the wicket-taking charts. The second ODI between India and Australia will be played in Adelaide, which traditionally favours spinners. It remains to be seen whether Kuldeep will be there on the ground.