R Ashwin, the former Indian off-spinner, has openly questioned the team’s strategic choices following their seven-wicket defeat against Australia in the first ODI in Perth. The match, hampered by wet conditions, saw India struggle to post a competitive total, ending at 136/9 in 26 overs after losing crucial early wickets. Ashwin expressed his bewilderment at the team management’s decision to omit wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, particularly given the balance of the side. India fielded three fast bowlers and three all-rounders, including spinners Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, alongside debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy. Ashwin argued that while batting depth is important, it shouldn’t come at the expense of the team’s best bowling options. He highlighted that on Australian pitches with larger boundaries, Kuldeep’s attacking style and ability to generate bounce could be a significant asset. “In these big grounds, if Kuldeep can’t bowl with a lot of freedom, then where will he play?” Ashwin pondered during his YouTube analysis. He emphasized the need to select genuine wicket-taking bowlers rather than extending the batting order with players who may not fully contribute with the ball. The inclusion of Harshit Rana at number 9 further fueled Ashwin’s critique, suggesting that the team’s focus on batting depth might be masking underlying issues in their top-order batting performance. India now faces the challenge of regrouping for the second ODI in Adelaide after this disappointing start.
