Nov 2026 : Former India left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju has expressed surprise over wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s omission from the playing XI throughout the recently concluded five-match T20I series against New Zealand, urging the team management to provide him with more opportunities ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India lost the T20I series 3-2 to New Zealand, but Raju believes the bigger concern is the limited use of an experienced spinner like Kuldeep. He pointed out that India have played 35 matches in SENA countries over the last 24 months under the current team management, but Kuldeep has featured in only three of them.
Speaking to IANS during a select virtual interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network ahead of the India-New Zealand ODI series, Raju said it was difficult to understand why a bowler of Kuldeep’s quality was being kept on the bench despite being selected across all three formats.
“It’s surprising. We are all former cricketers who sit here. We do commentary and then we have our own interactions. When you take Kuldeep, why are you not making him play?” Raju asked.
He emphasised that wrist-spinners remain an important asset in white-ball cricket, particularly when teams need variations to contain aggressive batters. According to him, regular match exposure is essential for spinners to develop control, confidence and the ability to perform under pressure.
Raju also suggested that if the team management does not intend to include Kuldeep in the playing XI, he should be allowed to participate in domestic cricket rather than remain on the sidelines.
He observed that opposition batters have increasingly adopted an aggressive approach against Indian bowlers, partly because the bowling attack has not been able to offer sufficient variations.
“The skill is there, but the variations are lacking in the present set-up. That’s why I think Kuldeep has to be given more and more chances,” he said.
Raju acknowledged that giving players opportunities could sometimes result in defeats but argued that international matches provide valuable experience, particularly in difficult situations. He said Kuldeep could become an important option when India need a bowler capable of adjusting to pressure and changing match conditions.
Referring to head coach Gautam Gambhir’s remark that he was not in the job to please everyone, Raju said the issue was not about satisfying individuals but making the best use of available match-winners.
He also questioned why Kuldeep continued to be selected across formats without receiving adequate playing time. In his view, a wrist-spinner needs regular appearances to remain match-fit and maintain consistency.
Raju raises concerns over India’s spin attack
Raju identified the lack of quality spin bowling as one of India's major concerns, particularly when defending totals. While India performed well while chasing targets during the New Zealand T20I series, he said the bowling unit struggled to restrict opposition teams after posting competitive scores.
“The only concern for me is the all-rounders, again because what we have seen in T20s in New Zealand, we were very good chasers. But of late, we have not been able to restrict teams when we put a total on board,” he said.
Asked about Axar Patel’s performances during the T20I series, Raju said the all-rounder needed to rediscover the variations that had made him effective in the past.
He described Axar as a valuable player who contributes with the bat and in the field, but felt that his bowling had recently lacked some of its effectiveness.
Raju also pointed out that Axar did not currently have a regular wicket-taking spin partner comparable to the combinations India previously enjoyed with Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav or Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
“When they were there, they were match-winners on their own. But now, Axar doesn’t have much support,” he said.
He added that Axar needed another attacking spinner at the other end to create pressure and provide breakthroughs. With several all-rounders, including Washington Sundar, facing injury concerns, Raju said Axar would have to shoulder greater responsibility.
Jadeja’s ODI future and the need for a settled combination
Raju also commented on Ravindra Jadeja’s absence from India's ODI squad since the series against the West Indies. He felt that the team management appeared to have moved towards Axar Patel as a replacement, given the similarities between the two players.
Both are capable fielders and can contribute valuable runs, but Raju said the bowling aspect would remain important in deciding the team's balance.
Drawing a comparison with India's successful 2011 World Cup campaign, he said the selectors would need to combine experienced players with younger cricketers who had sufficient international exposure.
He stressed that India should identify the players likely to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup and give them enough opportunities to build a settled combination.
The tournament, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21, 2027, will require a bowling attack capable of adapting to conditions outside the subcontinent.
Raju said the experience of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would be particularly valuable in overseas conditions. He felt both should play as many matches as possible before the World Cup, considering that they currently feature primarily in one format.
“They have been there for such a long time. They both have been match-winners,” he said.
India's preparations have also been affected by the availability of players who are part of the Test squad. Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj are expected to be released for the final two ODIs of the New Zealand series, placing greater responsibility on Rohit, Kohli and other players with comparatively less ODI experience.
India have lost ODI series in England this year and against Australia last year, while their last ODI series victory in New Zealand came in 2018-19.
Injuries add to India's bowling concerns
Raju also expressed concern over India's fast-bowling resources, pointing out that injuries have reduced the availability of bowlers capable of operating effectively on overseas pitches.
He said teams such as Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have tall fast bowlers who can extract bounce and consistently hit the deck, giving their attacks an advantage in suitable conditions.
India, he observed, have struggled to maintain similar resources because several bowlers with those abilities are currently on the injury list.
Raju said the team's biggest challenge ahead of the World Cup would be to develop a balanced bowling combination, with sufficient depth in spin, pace and all-round options.
“We are bound to lose a couple of matches. But before the World Cup, if you can get your things and combination right,” he said, adding that bowling could prove to be India's main concern rather than batting.
He urged the selectors and team management to use the remaining bilateral series to identify the right players, give them consistent opportunities and manage their fitness carefully.
Pant faces another fitness test; Bumrah heads to New Zealand
Meanwhile, India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to undergo another fitness assessment before travelling to New Zealand for the upcoming Test series.
Pant suffered a side strain during the Irani Cup while leading Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir. He has been at the BCCI Centre of Excellence for around 10 days and reportedly failed a fitness test on Sunday.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Pant is expected to undergo another assessment within two days. If cleared, he could join the India A squad for the third multi-day match against New Zealand A, beginning November 7 in Lincoln.
Pant was named in India's A squad for the three four-day matches as part of the preparations for the senior team's tour, subject to fitness clearance. He missed the first two games while recovering from the injury. Kumar Kushagra was named as his replacement, while Dhruv Jurel handled wicketkeeping duties.
Pant has also been included in India's squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, beginning November 19. His participation, however, remains subject to fitness clearance.
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has also travelled to New Zealand and is likely to feature in the third multi-day match against New Zealand A as preparation for the Test series.
Bumrah was rested for India's recent white-ball assignments, including the home series against the West Indies and the away series against New Zealand. The BCCI has been managing his workload carefully ahead of the important Test assignments, particularly with India's World Test Championship ambitions in mind.
The upcoming India-New Zealand ODI series begins on Wednesday, November 4. The first ODI will be broadcast live from 7.30 am IST on Sony Sports Network platforms and Sony LIV.
