India lost the fourth T20I in Hyderabad by 24 runs.
Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sharply criticized the Indian team management’s choice to drop Kuldeep Yadav for the fourth T20I against the West Indies, emphasizing that the decision "lacks a bit of common sense" as the Caribbean batters clearly struggle to read his variations.
Ashwin voiced his concerns on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, following India's 24-run defeat at the hands of West Indies in Hyderabad on Wednesday (October 14).
Invited to bat first, the visitors piled up a massive total of 247/3 in their 20 overs, exposing India's bowling unit once again in this T20I series. The charge was led by skipper Shai Hope, who smashed a breathtaking 102* off just 50 deliveries. He was ably supported by Sherfane Rutherford, who remained explosive till the end with a quick-fire 49* off 26 balls.
Chasing a monumental target of 248, Sanju Samson provided an explosive start with a 23-ball 56. Tilak Varma (43) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) kept the hopes alive, but the hosts fell short, getting bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs. This result left the five-match series levelled at 2-2.
Ashwin argued that even though Hyderabad is a bouncy, high-scoring venue where spinners traditionally find it tough, Kuldeep's specific skill set would have restricted the opposition. He claimed the wrist-spinner’s presence on the field could have made a 15-20 run difference in the final score.
“It is very surprising because, on a ground where you expect to get some bounce, I know it has not always been a happy hunting ground for spinners, but the West Indies batters are struggling to pick his googly and leg-spin," Ashwin said.
“So, if you are leaving Kuldeep out against them, it lacks a bit of common sense. It is very surprising because I think his presence could have made a difference of 15-20 runs," he added.
While Ashwin agreed with benching Kuldeep in the small-dimension ground at Indore for the third T20I, he strongly disagreed with doing it again in Hyderabad
While Ashwin agreed with benching Kuldeep in the small-dimension ground at Indore for the third T20I, he objected to suggestions that the left-arm spinner’s performance (1-53) in the second T20I at Ranchi was responsible for India’s failure to defend 249 runs.
“I was surprised. Kuldeep was not picked in Indore, and I would still endorse that decision because I can understand that the ground is small. But you are almost making an issue out of it by suggesting that India’s loss in Ranchi was because of Kuldeep. That, in itself, is wrong," he stated.
Before his T20I benching, Kuldeep Yadav had been in stellar form, finishing as India’s highest wicket-taker in the preceding ODI leg with 7 wickets in 3 matches.
The T20I series-decider between the two teams is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on Saturday (October 17).