‘Kitne All-Rounders Chahiye?’ Ashwin Questions Team Strategy

Former Indian spinner R Ashwin has expressed frustration over the Indian team’s decision to bench Kuldeep Yadav in the first ODI against Australia. In a significant moment of critique, Ashwin highlighted the detrimental impact of prioritizing all-rounders over specialist bowlers.

During the match at the Perth Stadium, which saw India failing to defend a modest total of 131 runs in a rain-affected game, Ashwin questioned the rationale behind excluding Kuldeep, who has been a top performer recently. India ultimately lost the match by 7 wickets, falling behind in the series (0-1).

Despite India’s inclusion of two spin all-rounders, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, Ashwin argues that the focus should shift towards utilizing the best bowlers available.

“You already have three all-rounders. If you can’t play your best bowlers, what’s the strategy?” Ashwin questioned. He emphasized that the reliance on all-rounders can compromise performance, particularly on expansive grounds like Perth Stadium. He urged the team to trust their batters and give more emphasis to a balanced attack.

Kuldeep’s absence is even more glaring considering his impressive track record. Recently, he was the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup (17 wickets in 7 matches) and performed well in the Test series against West Indies, claiming 12 wickets.

As India prepares for the 2nd ODI in Adelaide, speculations arise over whether Kuldeep will finally make an appearance. Fans and analysts are eager to see how the team balances its strategy of batting depth against the essential need for a strong bowling lineup.