After a rain-marred and forgettable outing in Perth, Team India head to Adelaide for the second ODI against Australia with more questions than answers. While the weather interrupted the rhythm and robbed the contest of flow, India’s timid batting and a questionable team selection exposed a few worrying cracks early in Shubman Gill’s India. As far as selection is concerned, the biggest talking point ahead of the second ODI now revolves around one man, Kuldeep Yadav.
Forgettable outing in Perth; Rohit-Kohli fail
India’s ODI reboot under Gill began on a damp note, both literally and figuratively. Having been bundled out for 136 in 26 overs, India were brushed aside by seven wickets (DLS method) in what became a rain-hit stop-start contest at Optus Stadium. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, returning to the format after eight months, endured rusty comebacks. While they are practising hard for the second ODI, question marks still remain. Gill himself managed a scratchy start to his ODI captaincy, and the batting order, stretching till No. 8, failed to make the additional depth count.
The bowling, too, looked flat. On a lively Perth surface, India’s three-pronged pace attack involving Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana struggled for breakthroughs beyond the new ball. The two spinning all-rounders, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, operated in patches but lacked penetration. For all the talk of balance and batting insurance, India still ended up fielding a side that neither batted deep enough nor bowled incisively.
Why India must rethink and bring back Kuldeep Yadav
This is where the absence of Kuldeep Yadav stings. In recent months, the left-arm wrist spinner has been India’s biggest X-factor in limited-overs cricket, a wicket-taker in the middle overs who can alter the tempo of a game on his own. His control, variations, and confidence have made him a force across formats. Just weeks ago, he was Player of the Match in Delhi against the West Indies, where he won the match for India with a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
Moreover, Kuldeep’s record in Australian conditions is quietly impressive. Across formats, he has taken 13 wickets in seven matches. Yes, the Adelaide Oval might not offer square turn but some spinners are bound to be included irrespective of conditions. If India are looking for a match-winner rather than a stop-gap all-rounder, Kuldeep simply has to walk back into the XI. Also, Kuldeep is India’s best-ranked ODI bowler (5th) and should be playing.
Washington Sundar’s presence provides batting insurance at No. 8, but India have repeatedly fallen into the trap of prioritising depth over potency. On days when the top order fires, that extra batter hardly comes into play. Fortunately, Nitish Kumar Reddy showed immense confidence on his ODI debut with the bat. This means without Washington, India would still have seven proper batting options. What India lack more desperately right now is a wicket-taking option who can dent Australia’s middle order. Kuldeep gives them exactly that.
Predicted India Playing XI, 2nd ODI vs AUS
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer (VC)
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
India ODI squad for Australia series
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.
