Ravichandran Ashwin calls out omission of Kuldeep Yadav from India T20I line-up

Kuldeep Yadav was the leading wicket-taker against the West Indies in the ODI series and took three wickets in the first two T20 matches. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

India lost the fourth T20I against West Indies on Wednesday, ensuring that the last T20I in Bengaluru will be the decider. Kuldeep Yadav, who was the leading wicket-taker against the same opponent in the ODI series with seven wickets, was dropped from the playing eleven after the second game.

This decision was made after the bowler conceded 53 in his four overs, including a 24-run 17th over which sent the match West Indies’ way. Although he was one of two bowlers to take a wicket for India that day, the other bowlers also conceded plenty of runs.

After the latest loss, Ravichandran Ashwin, on his YouTube podcast ‘Ash ki Baat’, says the decision to drop Kuldeep scapegoats him and lacks common sense. R Ashwin believes that the left-arm spinner would have made a difference in the two matches in which he was dropped.

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“It is very surprising because, on a ground where you expect to get some bounce, I know it has not always been a happy hunting ground for spinners. But the West Indies batters are struggling to pick his (Kuldeep) googly and leg-spin. So, if you are leaving Kuldeep out against them, it lacks a bit of common sense. It is very surprising because I think his presence could have made a difference of 15-20 runs,” Ashwin said.

The fourth match was held in Hyderabad, which is known for its small ground and bounce and doesn’t tend to be spin-friendly. India’s bowling lacked a spark yet again, conceding 247 in the latest T20I and ending up losing the match by 24 runs.

“I was surprised. Kuldeep was not picked in Indore, and I would still endorse that decision because I can understand that the ground is small. But you are almost making an issue out of it by suggesting that India’s loss in Ranchi was because of Kuldeep. That, in itself, is wrong,” he added.