Legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin criticized the Indian team management's selection logic, questioning how a proven match-winner like Kuldeep Yadav continues to be left out for extra batting depth after the latter was once again ignored for the series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday (July 19).

With Jasprit Bumrah sidelined with a knee injury and Washington Sundar ruled out due to a hamstring strain, the team management under Gautam Gambhir opted for four frontline pacers and picked Axar Patel as the lone specialist spinner.

Taking to X formerly Twitter), Ashwin pointed out that the usual excuse for benching Kuldeep is that the tail starts too early, yet the lineup featured Arshdeep batting as high as number eight.

He stressed that constantly overlooking a quality wrist-spinner in favor of batting depth hurts a bowler’s overall rhythm and confidence.

“The only defense for not playing Kuldeep usually is that the batting finishes at number 7, wonder how it feels to have Arshdeep at number 8 today! Adding Bumrah’s absence to that, one can only feel bad for Kuldeep. Trust me, this can affect the rythm and confidence of a bowler,” Ashwin wrote.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif also questioned the team management’s handling of Kuldeep Yadav, suggesting the latter to quit international cricket.

“Kuldeep Yadav should be thinking of packing his bags and saying goodbye to international cricket. Today there was no Bumrah, no Washington, no Varun but Kuldeep still didn't find a place in 11. India's bowling attack at Lord's is one dimensional and lacks variety. A left-arm wrist spinner would have come handy. Remember he has 194 wickets in 118 ODIs. It seems these numbers don't matter,” Kaif tweeted.

Kuldeep was part of India's title-winning campaigns for both the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups, alongside lifting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Despite proving his credentials as match-winner, he has faced snubs from the squad and playing XI this year.