'You have compromised with quality for quantity...': Champions Trophy winner questions Shubman Gill for leaving out Kuldeep Yadav in first ODI against Australia

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif slammed ODI skipper Shubman Gill for not picking Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the first ODI against Australia in Perth. India lost the series opener by seven wickets as Gill started his ODI captaincy tenure on a forgettable note. After being asked to bat, India managed to score 136/9 in the rain-curtailed 26-over game and failed to defend the score.

Kaif slams Shubman Gill

After India's defeat, Kaif questioned Shubman Gill's decision not to pick Kuldeep in the playing XI. Kaif, who was part of India's Champions Trophy 2002 winning squad, labelled the Uttar Pradesh spinner as a ‘wicket-taking’ bowler. He also gave the example of legendary Shane Warne, who was successful playing across formats in Australia.

"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," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Kuldeep Yadav's recent performances

Kuldeep is currently in the form of his life as he played a crucial role in India's Asia Cup 2025 win. The left-arm spinner was the highest wicket-taker of the continental tournament with 17 scalps from seven innings at an average of 9.29 and an economy of 6.27. After the Asia Cup, Kuldeep featured in the two-Test match series against West Indies, where he was the leading wicket taker with 12 wickets from four innings, with best figures of 5/82. Moreover, Kuldeep has a phenomenal record against Australia in ODIs with 31 wickets from 23 matches.

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Kaif slammed Indian bowlers for the defeat

Kaif also said that it was the bowlers’ responsibility to step up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami and win the match.

"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?” he added.

The second ODI between India and Australia will take place on October 23 at Adelaide Oval and there might be the chances that India will tinker around with the playing XI.