Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu has urged the selectors to back Kuldeep Yadav in the ODI series against New Zealand. Yadav didn’t play a single game in the T20I series against the Kiwis.
The wrist spinner hasn’t received consistent chances across all three formats, which has been surprising as he has performed decently. India’s team management has backed all-rounders ahead of specialist bowlers and thus Yadav has received his chances sporadically. Yadav has scalped 201 wickets in 124 ODI matches at an average of 26.94.
Rayudu urged chief selector Pragyan Ojha to make Kuldeep the vice-captain of the ODI team.
“Maybe we should call up Ojha and make Kuldeep Yadav the vice-captain. Ojha, Kuldeep has to play, do something about it. He will take wickets for you,” he said on Cricbuzz.
Rayudu also wants the team management to back Mohammed Siraj in the absence of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
“Siraj has played a Ranji Trophy game recently on a rank-turner; he bowled a nine-over spell and took 2 wickets that looked impossible,” Rayudu said.
“He puts his body on the line even in a Ranji Trophy game; that is the kind of attitude he has. I just feel that he is someone who has to be backed. I think he is fit enough to play all five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy next year. He will not complain,” he added.
Rayudu and former Indian spinner Murali Kartik also picked India’s playing XI for the opening ODI against New Zealand.
“Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj,” Rayudu and Kartik agreed.
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland on Wednesday.
