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Conceding 200-plus runs has become a routine for India bowlers, and the ongoing T20I series against West Indies only substantiates the argument. The fourth T20I between India and West Indies proved to be the latest example of India's bowling woes, where the hosts conceded 247/3 and in reply ran out of steam while chasing it, resultantly losing the match by 24 runs.
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India's spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin knows exactly what's wrong with India's bowling line-up, which has left them staring at series defeat, as the outing is currently locked at 2-2 after Hyderabad showdown.
Indian cricket has always thrived on fierce competition and tactical debates, but few selection decisions in recent memory have invited as much sharp criticism as the handling of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies.
It lacks a bit of common sense: R Ashwin on 'Kuldeep Yadav' dropping
Ashwin did not mince words, declaring that dropping Kuldeep from the playing eleven after the initial matches lacked basic common sense. As India stares down the barrel of a series defeat heading into the final encounters, the spotlight has inevitably shifted to a bowling unit that has looked ordinary, predictable, and repeatedly exposed on flat tracks.
Speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, Ashwin questioned the rationale behind benching a proven match-winner:
"It is very surprising because, on a ground where you expect to get some bounce... the West Indies batters are struggling to pick his googly and leg-spin. So, if you are leaving Kuldeep out against them, it lacks a bit of common sense. It is very surprising because I think his presence could have made a difference of 15-20 runs," Ashwin said.
Ashwin acknowledged that while resting a player on extremely small grounds like Indore could be debated, benching him out of a knee-jerk reaction created an artificial controversy, falsely blaming Kuldeep for the loss in Ranchi.
“I was surprised. Kuldeep was not picked in Indore, and I would still endorse that decision because I can understand that the ground is small. But you are almost making an issue out of it by suggesting that India’s loss in Ranchi was because of Kuldeep. That, in itself, is wrong,” he further stated.
Kuldeep featured in the first two matches of the series, playing in Lucknow and Ranchi where he registered figures of two for 33 and conceded 53 runs respectively. While the second match yielded a high run count, Ashwin pointed out the absurdity of making the wrist-spinner a scapegoat for a collective team failure.
India's bowling woes and 200-plus run conundrum
Throughout the current T20I series against the West Indies, India’s bowling attack has struggled to find answers against a power-packed Caribbean batting lineup. Flat pitches and heavy dew have certainly played their part, but the inability of the bowling attack to adapt has been glaring. Time and again, Indian bowlers have leaked runs freely, frequently conceding totals in excess of 200 runs. While West Indies chased down India's colossal total of 249/5 in the second T20I, the third match saw them posting 209/7 while chasing a 224-run target. And What happened in the fourth T20I is still vivid in everyone's memory.
Alternative spin options like Axar Patel and Naman Dhir have found it exceedingly difficult to stem the flow of runs or create breakthroughs. Without a genuine wicket-taking threat in the middle overs to slow down the momentum, opposing batters have capitalised on predictable lengths, putting immense pressure on India's pace attack and forcing captains into reactive, defensive fields.
What Kuldeep Yadav brings to the table?
Kuldeep is not just another stock bowler; he is a rare left-arm wrist-spinner whose variations, sharp googlies, and ability to impart heavy revolutions on the ball make him a distinct asset in any format. On tracks offering minimal assistance to traditional finger spinners, a wrist-spinner brings the unique capacity to deceive batsmen in the air and off the pitch.
West Indies batsmen, despite their power-hitting prowess, have visibly struggled to pick Kuldeep's variations, particularly his well-disguised googly and clever changes in pace. Having a bowler who can puzzle the opposition while applying a brake on the run-rate alters the psychological dynamics of the game.
A recurring theme in Kuldeep Yadav’s international career has been his status as a frequent soft target when squad rotations or scapegoating occur. Despite delivering match-winning spells on numerous occasions, he has found himself unceremoniously dropped from the playing XI far too often.
This recurring pattern of selection insecurity inevitably impacts a player's rhythm and mental confidence. When a bowler knows that a single expensive spell on a flat, batter-friendly highway will result in immediate exclusion, it stifles aggressive, risk-taking bowling and forces them into a defensive mindset.
Kuldeep's recent form underlines how vital he remains to India’s white-ball setups. Just prior to the T20I leg, he was the undisputed pick of the Indian bowlers during the ODI series against the West Indies, snapping up 7 wickets across 3 games with exceptional control and guile.
Across formats, Kuldeep’s numbers speak volumes of his pedigree
ODIs: In 124 matches, maintaining a sub-26 bowling average and regularly dismantling middle orders, taking 201 wickets.
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T20Is: In 56 matches with close to 100 wickets at an elite economy and strike rate, highlighted by stellar campaigns in major tournaments like the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup.
Tests: In 19 matches, the ace spinner has scalped 80 wickets at an average of 23.36.
As India builds toward the upcoming ODI World Cup cycle and major global events, stability and faith in premier wicket-takers are paramount. Sidelining a proven strike bowler over short-term panic on flat wickets hurts team balance. To turn things around, the team management must look past momentary setbacks, restore Kuldeep Yadav to his rightful place as the leader of the spin attack, and back his match-winning credentials when it matters most.
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