Ravichandran Ashwin fears the worst for Kuldeep Yadav under Gautam Gambhir

October 18, 2026

Following a recent five-match Twenty20 series against the West Indies that concluded in a two-all tie after a washout in Bengaluru, former national team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed concern regarding the limited playing time afforded to Kuldeep Yadav. The wrist-spinner was dropped to the bench for three consecutive matches following a difficult outing in Ranchi, where he conceded fifty-three runs while claiming a single dismissal during a high-scoring chase completed by West Indies skipper Shai Hope.

Ashwin argued that it is unjust to penalize a proven performer for struggling on batter-friendly pitches where bowling attacks from both sides faced severe challenges. Furthermore, Ashwin projected that the Indian team leadership might select Varun Chakravarthy as their primary spin option ahead of Kuldeep for an upcoming tour of New Zealand, provided Chakravarthy recovers from a side strain.

This potential selection shift could also involve all-rounder Hardik Pandya remaining unavailable due to fitness concerns, alongside the presence of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in the squad.