The India national cricket team has surprised everyone as they have made three changes to their playing eleven for the crucial third match of the ongoing five-match T20 series against Australia at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday (November 2).
After some poor performances on the Australia tour, both Sanju Samson and Harshit Rana were dropped from India’s XI as they made way for Jitesh Sharma and Arshdeep Singh. But surprisingly, they benched their wicket-taking wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav.
India made major changes for the important T20 match against Australia, hence Kuldeep Yadav was kept in the team.
The Indian team management dropped Kuldeep in place of spin all-rounder Washington Sundar after a surprising batting collapse in the second T20I in Melbourne. Sundar’s batting outclassed Kuldeep and he will hope that the move does not backfire in Hobart.
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“We are going to bowl first. The ball will come on to the bat well in the second innings. Will be happy to take one game at a time. We have three changes – Jitesh, Arshdeep and Washington come in,” Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss.
Here’s how fans reacted to Kuldeep Yadav’s snub:
@GautamGambhir You are a fuller of the highest order
Now you remove Kuldeep Yadav@bcci You need to take some tough decisions; This rookie is doing almost the same sycophancy that we saw under the Kohli-Shastri duo when it comes to tweaks and changes in the team– Gaurav Tandon (@GauravT232014) 2 November 2025
Ultimately Harshadit Rana was dropped from the playing eleven and Arshadjit Singh got a place in the playing eleven. Instead of Washington Sundar, I think Kuldeep Yadav should have been included. There are enough bowlers available, but we will miss Kuldeep Yadav.
– Sameer Shaikh (@SAMEERS2726) 2 November 2025
India’s playing XI for Australia vs 3rd T20 match
Suryakumar Yadav (C)
Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper) Sanju Samson
Washington Sundar Kuldeep Yadav
Arshdeep Singh Harshit RanaFresh faces. Same fire. Let’s finish strong!#AUSvIND #t20i #TeamIndia #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/av51gkqPV2
– Utkarsh Yadav (@utkarshyadav79) 2 November 2025
What a shame! #sanjusamson Now removed after changing his position several times to accommodate the increasingly unsuccessful Shubman Gill!!
Leaving out Kuldeep Yadav once again to retain number 8 When will he learn! #AUSvIND https://t.co/11wO17lbqZ
– Ishaan (@ixxcric) 2 November 2025
i doubt
They will bring him back to the Indian position at No. 3 and Hardik Pandya will replace Shivam Dubey and Kuldeep Yadav will replace Washington Sundar.
– Staunch India Supporter (@KKRWeRule) 2 November 2025
Just knowledge of the ball and still believe that Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy will definitely play and if Hardik Pandya works with the new ball then Harshit Rana will also start in the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/h0RmE3SxqM
– Staunch India Supporter (@KKRWeRule) 2 November 2025
Did Sanju deserve to be dropped after just one game? Gill is being pampered constantly and I think Kuldeep has also got a raw deal..@GautamGambhir @bcci @surya_14kumar @IndianCricketTM #IndianCricket #sanjusamson #KuldeepYadav https://t.co/azN36UIyXu
– Cricketo (@saffroncareers) 2 November 2025
Gautam Gambhir is deciding the playing 11.#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/wdnU32eSzG
– cric (@cricNmemes) 2 November 2025
Team India made three changes to its playing eleven for the third T20 match against Australia, as head coach Gautam Gambhir continues to experiment ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. India won the toss and decided to bowl first to take the lead in the series. Australia also made a…
– Rashtra TV (@Rashtra_TV) 2 November 2025
Arshdeep Bumrah Varun but no Kuldeep Gautam Gambhir you joker
– ︎︎︎ ︎ (@shimographer) 2 November 2025
Brother, I really don’t understand what the selection process is. I really feel like Gautam Gambhir is choosing teams only based on emotions!!! #INDvAUS https://t.co/zhqQM8m51O
– Nick (@Hazamatoxin) 2 November 2025
Kuldeep Yadav was dropped.
Very good.– Shamik (@iam_shamik_) 2 November 2025
Injustice at its peak!! This happens only in Indian cricket. First, Sanju’s opening slot was snatched away and given to the so-called Prince Gill! Now he was dropped from the team.
GG’s obsession with batting depth could ruin Kuldeep Yadav’s future in the Indian team.@bcci– sÒoRJ (@soorajleo10) 2 November 2025
to be continued…
