Irfan Pathan Proposes Inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in India's ODI Squad Against Australia

Irfan Pathan's Suggestions for Team Management

As the second ODI between Australia and India approaches, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has put forth several strategies for the team management to consider for including left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI.

Kuldeep Yadav's ODI Performance

Kuldeep Yadav was not part of the squad for the opening match of the ODI series held in Perth. With 113 ODIs under his belt, he has taken 181 wickets at an average of 26.7. Notably, he has excelled against Australia, securing 31 wickets in 23 ODIs.

Options for Kuldeep's Inclusion

In a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Pathan outlined potential ways to integrate Kuldeep into the lineup. He suggested that India could either replace Washington Sundar with Kuldeep or rest one of the three fast bowlers—Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, or Harshit Rana—to enhance the balance and depth of both the batting and bowling units.

"To accommodate Kuldeep Yadav in the team, India has three options. They can either substitute him for Washington Sundar or choose to rest one of the fast bowlers. This would allow for greater batting depth, as Sundar would bat at No. 8, and Reddy would serve as the third seamer. It's essential to find a way to include Kuldeep in the squad," the 40-year-old explained.

Kuldeep as a Key Player

Pathan emphasized Kuldeep's role as an 'attacking option' who can significantly influence the game, even in challenging conditions like those in Perth.

He also noted that India's choice not to field five frontline bowlers in the first ODI was partly due to the return of senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer after extended breaks.

"I strongly support Kuldeep Yadav as he is a potent attacking option. We witnessed that spinners can take wickets even in Perth. The decision to not field five frontline bowlers in the first ODI was influenced by the return of Kohli, Sharma, and Iyer after a long hiatus," Pathan added.

Upcoming Match Details

India is gearing up for a crucial match against Australia on Thursday at the Adelaide Oval, where they aim to level the series at 1-1, while Australia seeks to secure the series with a win in the second ODI.