IND vs AUS: "How many all-rounders do you need"- Ravichandran Ashwin blasts India for overlooking Kuldeep Yadav in Perth ODI

Ravichandran Ashwin advised India to play their best bowlers in the ODI series against Australia.

Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has raised questions over India’ playing XI in the first ODI against Australian Cricket Team, which was played at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The former Indian spinner also slammed the Men in Blue for overlooking spinner Kuldeep Yadav, stressing that they should play their best spinner in the series.

Interestingly, the Shubman Gill-led side went ahead with three all-rounders in their playing XI for the first ODI with the aim to strengthen their batting. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul were five full-time batters in the playing XI, including spin all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.

Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh led the pace department, with the assistance of seam all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. However, the selection calls proved unfruitful as the visitors were dominated by the hosts in both batting and bowling departments.

After posting 136 runs in 26 overs in the rain-affected game, Shubman Gill & Co. could only dismiss three Australian batsmen while defending the target and conceded the target within 22 overs.

At least give some attention to the bowling too: Ravi Ashwin

Speaking on his YouTube channel about the first ODI, Ashwin said India should give some attention to their bowling. He supported the team’s idea for batting depth, but feels they should also play their best bowlers.

“I can understand why they’re playing two spinners in the game along with Nitish Reddy, they want the batting depth because both Washington and Axar can bat. But man, at least give some attention to the bowling too. On these big grounds, if Kuldeep can’t bowl with a lot of freedom, where will he bowl then? And there’s going to be over-spin, which will help him get bounce as well,” he said.

“They will talk about this batting depth. But if you want to build your game around batting depth, then the batters have to take responsibility, right? It’s the job of the batters to score the runs. If you’re playing an extra batter, it’s again about shielding the batters. Play your best bowlers, I’ll always say this play your best bowlers. Don’t pick a team just to extend your batting,” he added.

Ashwin couldn’t understand why the Men in Blue could not play spinner Kuldeep Yadav despite having multiple all-rounders in the playing XI.

“How many all-rounders do you need? You already have three all-rounders. There was a time when there were no all-rounders. You’ve got Washington, you’ve got Axar, and you’ve got Nitish. With all this, if you still can’t play your best spinner, I don’t get it at all,” he further said.

Notably, Kuldeep has shown a wonderful performance recently, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the test series against the West Indies earlier this month. Last month, he finished as highest wicket-taker for the Men in Blue during Asia Cup 2025, playing a key role in their victory in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh & Co. lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the opening game by seven wickets. Now, they will aim for a series victory in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on Thursday, October 23.

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