Former batsman Mohammad Kaif reacted strongly after Kuldeep Yadav was dropped from India’s playing XI for the third and final ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday.
Addressing the Express after India’s team selection, the former Indian batsman suggested that the left-arm wrist spinner might also be thinking about his international future, and questioned why he remained on the bench despite several changes in the XI and injuries in the team.
Kuldeep Yadav sat on the bench in all three ODI matches against England.
Despite arriving in the UK as one of the team’s frontline spin options, Kuldeep Yadav did not feature in a single match during India’s three-match ODI series against England.
The left-arm wrist spinner remained on the sidelines throughout the series as the Indian team management under head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill consistently preferred an all-rounder-heavy combination. Even in the series decider at Lord’s, where India were without Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav failed to find a place in the playing eleven.
Instead of recalling Kuldeep Yadav into the ODI XI, India included left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh and uncapped fast bowler Prince Yadav, while Axar Patel remained the only frontline spinner. Shivam Dubey also made way for KL Rahul in the final ODI.
The decision surprised many as Kuldeep Yadav has been one of India’s most successful ODI bowlers in recent years. In 121 ODIs, he has taken 194 wickets at an impressive average of 27.04 and an economy rate of 5.07, with his best figures of 6/25. He has achieved the feat of taking four wickets nine times and five wickets twice in this format.
Against England, Kuldeep has taken 14 wickets in nine ODIs at an average of 34.78, including career-best figures of 6/25. In English conditions, he has played 10 ODIs, taking 15 wickets at an average of 32.33, showing that he has had success in the country before. Despite those numbers and the absence of key players, the left-arm wrist spinner was forced to watch all three matches from the dugout as England won the series 2–1.
After the defeat in Lord’s ODI, Mohammad Kaif questioned the future of Kuldeep Yadav.
Mohammad Kaif was among the first former cricketers to question India’s selection after the final XI was announced for the Lord’s ODI. The former India batsman believes Kuldeep Yadav has every reason to be disappointed after being ignored despite the absence of many first-choice players. He wrote on X:
“Kuldeep Yadav should think about packing his bags and saying goodbye to international cricket. Today, there was no Bumrah, no Washington, no Varun, but still Kuldeep didn’t find a place in the 11. India’s bowling attack at Lord’s is one-dimensional and lacks variety. A left-arm wrist spinner would have come in handy. Remember he has taken 194 wickets in 118 ODIs. It seems these figures don’t matter Keep.”
Kuldeep Yadav should think about packing his bags and saying goodbye to international cricket. Today there was no Bumrah, no Washington, no Varun but still Kuldeep did not get a place in the 11. India’s bowling attack at Lord’s has been one-dimensional and lacked variety. A left hand…
– Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 19, 2026
“The only defense for not playing Kuldeep is usually that he ends up batting at No. 7” – Ravichandran Ashwin
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also expressed sympathy for Kuldeep after the spinner was ignored for the third consecutive ODI despite India’s changed team combination.
Ashwin pointed out that India’s usual justification for leaving out Kuldeep in the Lord’s ODI did not appear convincing, especially after Arshdeep Singh was selected in the XI and batted at No. 8. He posted on X:
“The only defense for not playing Kuldeep is usually that he ends up batting at No. 7, wonder how it feels to have Arshdeep at No. 8 today! Adding to this the absence of Bumrah, one can only feel bad for Kuldeep. Trust me, it can affect a bowler’s rhythm and confidence. #INDVENG”
Usually the only defense for not playing Kuldeep is that he ends up batting at No. 7, wonder how it feels to see Arshdeep at No. 8 today!
Add to this the absence of Bumrah and one can only feel bad for Kuldeep.
Trust me, it can affect one’s rhythm and confidence…
– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) July 19, 2026
