Questions are being raised over India's team selection after star wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav failed to feature in any match of the recently concluded five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Former India left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju has expressed surprise at the decision, urging the team management to give Kuldeep more opportunities ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India won the T20I series 3-2 under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. However, despite being part of the squad, Kuldeep remained on the sidelines throughout the series. Raju believes keeping an experienced match-winning spinner out of the playing XI could affect India's bowling strength in the long run.
Speaking ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand, Raju questioned why the team continued selecting Kuldeep across all three formats without providing him sufficient match time. He suggested that if the management does not intend to play him regularly, the spinner should be allowed to participate in domestic cricket to maintain his rhythm and match fitness.
Raju also highlighted the importance of wrist-spinners in modern white-ball cricket. According to him, India's opponents have increasingly adopted an aggressive batting approach, making variations and wicket-taking options crucial. He believes Kuldeep's ability to break partnerships could provide India with an important advantage.
The former selector also expressed concerns about India's overall spin-bowling resources. While acknowledging Axar Patel's contribution as an all-rounder, he felt the team needed another consistent wicket-taking spinner to support him.
Raju pointed out that Axar had been expensive during parts of the T20I series and needed to rediscover the variations that previously made him effective. He also recalled the successful spin combinations of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep, as well as Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
On Ravindra Jadeja's absence from the recent ODI selection, Raju suggested that India might be gradually moving towards Axar Patel as a similar all-round option.
He also backed senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, saying their experience would be extremely valuable ahead of the next World Cup. The 2027 tournament will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21.
Raju further warned that injuries among India's fast bowlers and all-rounders could create selection challenges. He believes bowling combinations, rather than batting alone, will be India's biggest concern before the global tournament.
With the World Cup approaching, the former spinner has urged selectors and team management to identify their preferred combination early and provide regular opportunities to players who could become crucial match-winners.
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