Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu requested the Indian team management to slot in the veteran wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the second ODI of the ongoing five-game series against New Zealand.
For the unversed, Kuldeep did not play a single game across the five T20Is against New Zealand. Later, he was benched for the first ODI of the ongoing five-game series, which didn’t go down well with Rayudu.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Ambati Rayudu pointed out that India could rely on their pace attack if the conditions favour seam bowling. However, he stressed the importance of finding a place for Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI to help him regain his confidence and maintain his rhythm.
“I think it depends on the conditions. If New Zealand go on and give such wickets then they can go on and keep playing this attack. Whenever one of the fast bowlers looks a little tired, you can manage his workload by bringing in Mohammed Siraj. After a win in the first game, you would not want to change much. But I would definitely try to get Kuldeep into the mix, because he has been sitting on the bench for a while, and it is not good for him or the Indian side. So just test him out and see,” Rayudu said on Cricbuzz.
On the other hand, former India spinner Murali Kartik admitted that he had stopped trying to predict India’s playing XI, expressing surprise over the omission of both Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav.
“I have given up guessing about the playing XI now. I would have definitely, with my eyes closed, after the captain, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, I would have put Mohammed Siraj at No.11. But that did not happen. At No.10, I would have put Kuldeep Yadav; that also did not happen. So whatever works, as long as you keep winning, it is fine. It is too early to rotate the bowlers; if you have won, why change?” Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
