- “I want Kuldeep Yadav to get a chance in ODI series” – Ajinkya Rahane backs wrist-spinner after T20I snubs him. Ajinkya Rahane has urged the Indian team management to select wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the upcoming ODI matches against New Zealand after the player was left out of the T20I starting XI.
- (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/) Ajinkya Rahane has backed left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav for his inclusion in the Indian starting XI in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
- Kuldeep was selected in the Indian squad for the five-match T20I series but did not feature in any of the matches as India won the series 3-2.
“I want Kuldeep Yadav to get a chance in ODI series” – Ajinkya Rahane backs wrist-spinner after T20I snubs him. Ajinkya Rahane has urged the Indian team management to select wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the upcoming ODI matches against New Zealand after the player was left out of the T20I starting XI.
(Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/) Ajinkya Rahane has backed left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav for his inclusion in the Indian starting XI in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Kuldeep was selected in the Indian squad for the five-match T20I series but did not feature in any of the matches as India won the series 3-2. The ODI series begins on November 4, 2026 and Rahane believes that this format offers the handspinner an opportunity to showcase his skills at the international level.
Rahane shared his views on India’s selection strategy and discussed the team’s proach to ODI matches. The former India all-rounder stressed that Kuldeep has the ability to take wickets and deserves a place in the shorter 50-over format, forming a formidable spin duo alongside Axar Patel. “The Indian team could field two spinners.
Axar Patel will definitely play as he is versatile and can bat too. I want Kuldeep Yadav to get a chance in the ODI series. He is a wicket-taker.
I wanted to see him in the T20Is too but he couldn’t play,” Rahane said during the series presentation on SonyLIV. Why should Kuldeep Yadav get an ODI chance? Rahane explained how the composition of the Indian team could facilitate Kuldeep’s inclusion in the playing XI.
The presence of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team adds balance and flexibility to the team combination, which could create an opportunity for the wrist spinner in the first ODI. Rahane pointed out that this squad depth allows the team management to experiment with different combinations. “However, I am sure that the Indian team will field two spinners in the ODIs.
With Nitish Kumar Reddy playing just one game, they need to find the right combination. That’s the first match. So you can try out Kuldeep Yadav there,” said Rahane.
Kuldeep Yadav was included in the Indian squad for the first three ODIs of the series. His previous ODI pearance was on October 3, 2026 against West Indies. The selection debate reflected India’s continued efforts to balance their spin attack with the batting depth and all-round ability of the ODI format.
