AUS vs IND: The buzz ahead of the 1st ODI in Perth was all about the much-anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket after a seven-month hiatus. The spotlight was firmly on the seasoned duo, but as they struggled to find their rhythm with the bat, a more pressing concern quietly crept back into the conversation, India’s alarming lack of wicket-taking options, especially in the middle overs.
While Rohit and Kohli’s dismissals stole the headlines, it was the bowling unit’s inability to make inroads after the new ball wore off that truly hurt India. On paper, the playing XI bore a familiar look, particularly the top order, which mirrored the 2023 ODI World Cup squad. But under the surface, the bowling attack lacked teeth, and Australia capitalized.
The Middle-Overs Drought
India’s strategy in Perth appeared conservative. Once the new ball spell ended, the bowling attack lacked a clear wicket-taking option. Australia, sensing the drop in intensity, began rotating strike with ease and punished loose deliveries. The middle overs, often the heartbeat of an ODI contest saw India go through the motions without posing any real threat.
That’s where Kuldeep Yadav’s absence was most felt.
The left-arm wrist-spinner hasn’t just been a reliable spinner for India, he’s been a genuine strike weapon. His track record against Australia is exceptional: 31 wickets in 23 ODIs, a figure that surpasses the entire Indian bowling unit’s tally from the Perth ODI. Kuldeep isn’t just about economy or containment, he’s about breakthroughs, the kind that turn matches on their heads.
Also Read: AUS vs IND 1st ODI: Clinical Australia Go 1-0 Up as India’s Winning Streak Ends in Perth
Kuldeep vs Balance: A Selection Dilemma
The current selection debate hinges on a familiar cricketing dilemma – balance. India, under Gautam Gambhir’s new regime, has leaned into a strategy that prioritizes batting depth. All-rounders like Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy offer dual skillsets, providing flexibility. But what they add with the bat, they often lack in attacking threat with the ball.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on this approach, describing it as a tactical shift. “It’s about lengthening the batting and having players who contribute in both departments,” Gavaskar said. “In modern-day ODIs, sometimes controlling the run flow is just as important as taking wickets.”
That’s one way to look at it. But the counterargument, and perhaps the more urgent one, came from voices like Abhishek Nayar and Varun Aaron, who both emphasized India’s lack of a game-changing spinner in overseas conditions.
“India need a wicket-taker after the new ball,” said Nayar on Star Sports. “Kuldeep thrives on conditions where there’s some pace and bounce – Australia suits him well. He can be the difference-maker.”
Aaron went a step further, questioning the need to bat as deep as No. 8 in a format where India’s top five are among the most consistent globally.
“You don’t need batting beyond No. 7. Kuldeep gives you that x-factor,” Aaron said. “Unlike Washington or Axar, who are defensive by design, Kuldeep attacks. He tosses it up, uses flight, and isn’t afraid to go for wickets. That’s what India lacked in Perth.”
A Straightforward Fix, Not a Gamble
Kuldeep Yadav isn’t a wildcard. He’s a proven match-winner with a clear skillset that India sorely missed in the series opener. His ability to break partnerships, turn the game in the middle overs, and force batters into mistakes has repeatedly come to India’s rescue in the past.
Replacing a lower-order batting all-rounder or even a support pacer like Harshit Rana with Kuldeep is not a risk – it’s a calculated correction.
India’s top-order misfires will always grab attention, especially when players like Rohit and Kohli are involved. But to win matches consistently, especially in overseas conditions – teams need bowlers who can take 10 wickets. As Perth showed, building pressure isn’t enough if no one can break it.
Eyes on Adelaide
As India prepares for the 2nd ODI in Adelaide, the roadmap seems obvious. Kuldeep Yadav, with his record, experience, and attacking mindset, is the missing piece in a bowling unit that currently feels incomplete. This is not just about one player – it’s about rebalancing a side that’s leaning too heavily on containment and batting depth.
It’s time to hand the ball to Kuldeep and let his wrist do the talking. India doesn’t just need to bounce back in this series, they need to rediscover their killer instinct. And few bowlers deliver it better than Kuldeep Yadav.
