Christchurch/New Delhi, October 19: Ravichandran Ashwin has stepped in to defend Kuldeep Yadav. India are three days from the first T20I of their New Zealand tour, and the former off-spinner believes the left-arm wrist spinner is about to be sidelined again.
Ashwin called the treatment of Kuldeep “unfair.” He said the spinner is often left out after a single rough outing.
Ashwin on Kuldeep Yadav: “Not the go-to option”
Ashwin pointed to the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi. Kuldeep went for 53 runs for one wicket as the visitors chased 250, and he was dropped afterwards.
“He hasn’t been the go-to option under this management, which is unfortunate,” Ashwin said.
For Ashwin, the problem is one of fairness. A single spinner, he argued, should not carry the blame when conditions are tough and the target is huge. The reported timeline backs up his worry. Kuldeep sat out three of the five home T20Is against the West Indies. He also stayed on the bench for all three ODIs in England in July.
Kuldeep Yadav vs Varun Chakravarthy: who gets the nod in New Zealand?
Ashwin expects Varun Chakravarthy to get the preference in the T20Is. Hardik Pandya is still not back, which changes how India balance the side. Ashwin added that it will be interesting to see how Varun recovers from his side strain.
The two spinners have played together before. In the 2025 Champions Trophy group game against New Zealand in Dubai, Varun took 5/42 and Kuldeep took 2/56. India won by 44 runs. Both spinners fit into the same attack when conditions suit them.
Four seamers in New Zealand: wicket-takers over batting depth
Ashwin also raised a wider selection issue. If India go in with four frontline seamers on Kiwi pitches, he said, the management must choose genuine wicket-takers. He does not want the attack weakened to add batting depth at No. 8 or 9.
That view puts the spotlight on Kuldeep. A wrist spinner who takes wickets in the middle overs is the kind of bowler Ashwin says India need. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his staff have often leaned towards batting depth or other bowling combinations.
India squad for New Zealand tour 2026: what we know
The BCCI named its ODI and Test squads on October 16, and Kuldeep is in both ODI squads. Shubman Gill leads the first three ODIs, and Shreyas Iyer takes over for the last two. Hardik Pandya’s absence continues.
India’s all-format tour opens with five T20Is, starting in Christchurch on October 22. Five ODIs and two Tests follow. Fans in India can watch live on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV.
What it means for India’s playing XI
Selection in New Zealand will show whether Ashwin’s fear is justified. Being named in a squad does not guarantee a place in the XI, and Kuldeep’s recent record on the bench gives the concern some weight.
At Vegas11 News, we will follow the team news toss by toss. We will be checking whether Kuldeep or Varun gets the first T20I spot, and whether India pick four seamers or keep a second spinner.
Stay with Vegas11 News for live updates, playing XI reports and analysis from the India vs New Zealand series.
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