Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav is a bit of a curious case. More often than not, he is in the squad but does not get a chance in the playing XI; if he is in the XI he is dropped after a game. That has led former India batter Aakash Chopra to question, ‘why is justice never done to him’? The current India-England series is going on similar lines for Kuldeep, where Washington Sundar and Axar Patel have been the preferred choices of spinners until now.
India wrong in not playing Kuldeep Yadav
“The more you think about him, the more you realise what is happening? Why is justice never done to this guy? Why does this guy never get proper opportunities? We are not treating him well, there is no doubt about it,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“It has happened in multiple formats. It has happened in India and outside India. He is the first guy who faces the consequence of anything, whether it’s a change in strategy, the team not doing well, or the batting not going well. The first guy who goes out is Kuldeep Yadav,” he added.
Out of action in India-England ODIs
In 2026, Kuldeep Yadav has played only one Test, four ODIs, and and four T20Is. That just goes on to show, how undecided the team management remains, when it comes to playing him. “He has played for so many years, but has played a handful of matches. As soon as someone is doing slightly better, he is played ahead of him, or an all-rounder who can bat is played ahead of him. So, not being able to make a place for Kuldeep Yadav is a travesty,” he said.
“When we talk especially about ODI cricket, where the middle overs are slightly sluggish, you need a wicket-taker, and not to think about Kuldeep Yadav at all in such a scenario, I think it’s a little sad. The right thing is not happening. I feel there should at least be an attempt to play him in the XI, but it’s not happening at all. I don’t like it,” Chopra concluded.
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