New Delhi, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former India spinner Venkatapathy Raju has expressed surprise over wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav not getting a single game in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which the visitors won 3-2. He urged the team management to give Kuldeep more opportunities ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Raju pointed out that India had played 35 matches in SENA countries over the last 24 months, but Kuldeep featured in only three. He said wrist-spinners were valuable assets in white-ball cricket and needed regular match time to maintain control and develop variations.
“If you pick Kuldeep, he should be playing. We might lose a couple of matches. But then, bowling in those tight situations in international games, he can be one of those guys who can adjust,” Raju told IANS in an interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network.
He also questioned the decision to retain Kuldeep across all three formats without giving him sufficient opportunities, suggesting that he could instead be allowed to play domestic cricket. Raju said India’s bowling lacked quality spin options to restrict opposition teams, despite the side performing well while chasing in New Zealand.
On Axar Patel, Raju said the all-rounder remained an important player but needed to rediscover his bowling variations. He also pointed to the absence of a wicket-taking spin partner, recalling the successful combinations of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep, as well as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Raju felt India appeared to have moved on from Jadeja, with Axar occupying a similar role. He said the team needed to identify players who would feature regularly and build a settled combination ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
He backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play as many matches as possible before the tournament, saying their experience would be valuable in overseas conditions. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21, 2027.
Raju identified bowling as India’s main concern, citing injuries among fast bowlers and all-rounders, while other teams such as Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have tall, hit-the-deck pacers. He said the team management and selectors needed to find the right combination and manage players’ fitness before the World Cup.
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