“I was disappointed that Kuldeep Yadav did not play” - Former Indian cricketer slams Shubman Gill for poor team combination in the 1st ODI

Former Indian cricketer and analyst Mohammad Kaif has slammed the Indian team for their poor team combination in the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia in Perth on Sunday, October 19.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif asserted that there are too many part-time bowlers in the Indian playing XI, taking the names of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Furthermore, he also slammed Harshit Rana for poor performance with the ball.

"In this team, there were many part-time bowlers. Nitish Reddy is not a complete bowler. On such a pitch, even Sundar is not a complete bowler. Harshit Rana would be disappointed with his bowling. It was the bowlers' responsibility to win this game. I know it was a low score. But when will you win games as bowlers then? Will you win only with Bumrah and Shami?" Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Moreover, Kaif questioned the Indian skipper Shubman Gill for not including the wicket-taking bowler Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. He also added that while Matthew Kunhemann bagged two important wickets, Kuldeep could’ve turned the game in the second innings. 

"It was a test of all the bowlers and Gill as well. He did not play Kuldeep in the XI. You covered everything but did not play a wicket-taking bowler. Shane Warne was successful in all formats in Australia. I was disappointed that Kuldeep did not play. Kuhnamann bagged two wickets. You have compromised with quality for quantity," he added.

Additionally, Kaif backed the Indian talismanic batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to come out well at the Adelaide Oval in the second ODI. While Kohli got out for a duck, Rohit scored only eight runs in the first ODI.

"There is some shortage in rhythm as they have not had time. Maybe now they will get used to the conditions before the Adelaide game. You will not get a slow and flat pitch for sure. There will be some grass, and the ball will move a bit. They will have to assess the pitch first and then see what will be a good score. They will have to build their innings respectfully," he said.

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