Ravichandran Ashwin wasn’t pleased with Kuldeep Yadav’s non-selection in Perth, and he’s echoed the same sentiments after India lost the second ODI to Australia in Adelaide. Ashwin had bemoaned the current management’s mindset, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shuman Gill, stating they always choose batting depth over bowling. But the same happened again.
Ashwin unhappy with Gill-Gambhir
Since Jasprit Bumrah has been rested, Kuldeep was India’s only wicket-taking option in the middle overs (11 to 40). Without him, the bowling lineup looked rather toothless. Ashwin highlighted this and pointed out that Adam Zampa, another wrist spinner, took 4 wickets and earned the ‘player of the match’ award.
The recently retired spinner also stated that good thinkers of the game always discuss what will cause trouble to the opposition. But neither Gill nor Gambhir did this. Had they done so, they would have realised that most Australian batters have either never faced Kuldeep or have struggled against him. He labelled the wrist spinner’s snub as an ‘unwise call’.
“The bowling attack is looking a bit ordinary. It doesn’t look like a wicket is going to fall. You need to get bowlers who can actually take wickets rather than those who score runs. How did Adam Zampa take 4 wickets? He was spinning the ball. We always think about it from our dressing room’s perspective. But good captains and leaders always think about how the opposition might feel about playing X or Y player.
Tell me this: has Copper Connolly played Kuldeep Yadav yet? The answer’s no. Matthew Short might have played him here and there. Alex Carey has played him but struggled. Mitchell Owen hasn’t played against him either. With all due respect, this (Australian) batting lineup hasn’t played against Kuldeep. Don’t forget that everyone who has come up against him initially has struggled. Making him sit out isn’t a wise call,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
'Shubman Gill deserved the spot' – Suryakumar Yadav on why Sanju Samson was removed as T20I opener
Top Stories
