India suffered a heavy seven-wicket defeat in the rain-marred first ODI against Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth on Sunday (October 19).

After the loss, former cricketer Kris Srikkanth questioned India’s playing combination, slamming the team management for keeping Kuldeep Yadav out of the playing XI.

The left-arm wrist-spinner has been in red-hot form lately. He made the batters dance to his tunes during India’s Asia Cup triumph last month, finishing the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps, at an average of 9.29.

Subsequently, Kuldeep claimed 12 wickets in a couple of home Test matches against West Indies, including the match-winning five-wicket haul in Delhi.

However, Kuldeep was still ignored for the first ODI against Australia as the Indian think tank went with three fast bowlers (Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh) and three all-rounders (Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy) on a bouncy Perth pitch.

“Who gave them crucial breakthroughs apart from Starc and Hazelwood? It was Kuhnemann. Axar also took an important wicket for us. The spinners had done a good job," Srikkanth said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

“They would always do a better job. Wrist-spinners are potential match winners. I didn’t understand the logic behind why they dropped Kuldeep. I would still play Kuldeep, Washington and Axar. Spinners will do a better job in these conditions than medium pacers," he added.

Team India’s obsession with batting all-rounders in the recently held Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England led to Kuldeep Yadav warming the bench.

Srikkanth also criticised India’s obsession with batting all-rounders, noting that the push for batters up to No. 8 has often led to Kuldeep’s ouster from the lineup.

“He is bowling so well in Tests; he bowled so well in the Asia Cup. He has played well in T20s and you say things like on Australian wickets, the ball doesn’t turn, so we aren’t playing Kuldeep Yadav," Srikkanth said.

“It is a dangerous statement and I don’t understand this. Forget the combination and eight batters. Go for the best players and the best team. How many runs can a number eight batter get you anyway?" he questioned.

It remains to be seen if Kuldeep Yadav gets a chance in the second ODI against Australia, scheduled for October 23 at the Adelaide Oval.