Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the latest voice to go against the Indian cricket team’s playing XI. When England’s batsmen were struggling with India’s bowlers at Lord’s in the 3-match ODI series decider, Ashwin criticized the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management for not selecting Kuldeep Yadav for the crucial match.
Gautam Gambhir’s love for batting depth in game combinations is known across the world. Ever since he took over the reins as India’s head coach, players with additional skills have got more opportunities than professionals like Kuldeep Yadav, who is adept at spin bowling but weak with the bat.
Why is Kuldeep Yadav not playing? Ravichandran Ashwin raised the question
Kuldeep Yadav is with the Indian cricket team for the ODI series against England. But the Indian team management did not realize the importance of keeping an experienced spinner like him in the playing combination throughout the series. Kuldeep Yadav is staying in England only to warm the benches at the venues.
Keeping a world-class spinner like Kuldeep with the team only to keep him sidelined is an argument that did not go down well with the former India spinner. Since the current team management has a tendency to maintain additional batting options within the playing combination, this could be a reason for not considering Kuldeep Yadav as a good fit for the team.
Additionally, making the scenario more challenging for the Men in Blue, Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Lord’s match due to injury. Arshdeep Singh joined the team as his replacement, whose batting skills are also not good.
Ravichandran Ashwin casts doubt on the tactical moves of the Indian cricket team
Ravichandran Ashwin feared that the management’s controversial decision could take away the chinaman spinner’s hard-earned rhythm and confidence.
Ashwin said, “The only defense for not playing Kuldeep is usually that he ends up batting at No. 7; wonder how it feels to see 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.”
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
England scored 387 runs in 50 overs
Batting first, England recorded a huge score against the Indian bowling line-up at Lord’s with a century from Ben Duckett and impressive innings from Jacob Bethel, Joe Root and Jos Buttler; The home team scored a total of 387 runs in 50 overs. To win the match as well as the 3-match ODI series, India will have to score 388 runs, which is a big task.
So far, the UK tour has not been good for the Men in Blue as they suffered a 2-0 T20I series defeat against Ireland, and then started their England tour with a 4-0 T20I series defeat. If the Shubman Gill-led team loses tonight’s match, they will have to suffer another defeat.
India started the 3-match ODI series with a resounding win in Birmingham but lost in Cardiff. India bowled well in the second match, but batting failure allowed England to snatch the momentum from the visiting team and level the series.
