‘How many all-rounder do we want?’:Ashwin slams Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from playing XI; Gavaskar defends Rohit, Kohli after Perth flop show

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the coaching staff and management’s decision to exclude Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI for the first ODI. Fresh after proving his worth in gold during the Asia Cup and during the Test series against West Indies, Kuldeep found himself on the bench in Perth. Team India instead opted to hand Nitish Kumar Reddy his debut ODI cap, but Ashwin isn’t happy with the obsession for batting depth and playing 3 all-rounders. Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar has defended the legendary duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after their flop show during the series opener. Also read: Can Virat Kohli help India level the ODI series?: Scored 5 centuries in Adelaide, IND defeated AUS in the last two ODIs
India’s horror show in Perth While Virat recorded his first-ever ODI duck in Australia, Rohit could only score 8 runs as the duo played their first match for India in over seven months. India were beaten comprehensively in Perth during a rain-curtailed clash. The Men in Blue will have to register a win in the second ODI at Adelaide to remain alive in the series. Ashwin urged the management to back Kuldeep Yadav in conditions where he can make the impact. Ashwin unhappy with obsession over batting depth “I can understand why there are two spinners playing in the team, along with Nitish Reddy. They want that batting depth, because Axar and Washington can bat, but bowling ke upar bhi thoda dhayan dedo yaar (concentrate on bowling as well). In these big grounds, if Kuldeep can’t bowl with a lot of freedom, then where will he play? And there will be overspin, which will get him more bounce,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat. Also read: Can Team India qualify for Women’s World Cup semifinals? “Don’t pick a player only because you want to extend your batting. Kitne all-rounders chaiye aapko (How many all-rounders do you want?) You already have three. Even after having Nitish in the side, if you can’t play your best bowlers, then I can’t get it at all,” the legendary spin-wizard, who retired mid-way during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last December.

Gavaskar defends Rohit-Kohli ​​​​​​​Sunil Gavaskar claimed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will get better with time. “Don’t be surprised if Rohit and Kohli score big in the next two games. They are coming back after a few months away from international cricket. The more they play, the more time they spend in the nets, and the more throwdowns they get, maybe even from the reserve bowlers bowling at them from 20 years instead of 22, the quicker they will find their rhythm,” Gavaskar told India Today.​​​​​​​ The second ODI in Adelaide will be played on 23 October.