- By Namrata Vijay
- Fri, 24 Oct 2025 05:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs AUS 3rd ODI: Ex-India fast bowler Varun Aaron revealed that the visitors should reduce a batter from their playing XI and should instead include Kuldeep Yadav in their playing XI for the last match. He hasn't played in any match till now as the visitors have lost the three-match ODI series 2-0.
The Shubman Gill-led side did try to improve their batting attack by including three all-rounders in their playing XI, and that's why the star spinner hasn't been included. In an interaction with Star Sports, Aarom revealed that Kuldeep should have played from the first match as he is someone who can take wickets at regular intervals.
Aaron also revealed that when the visitors are one batter short, the other players will take up that responsibility and perform better.
"Kuldeep Yadav should have come in from game one. You will have to sacrifice a batsman. Obviously, you can't play two fast bowlers in Australia. That's that. That would be a no-go. But Kuldeep is somebody who will get you wickets. He will make up for those runs that you didn't score. And also, the moment you have one batter short, I feel batsmen in general would take more responsibility on themselves and try to dig in deeper because they know they don't have that cushion at the back," Aaron was quoted as saying on Star Sports.
KULDEEP GETS WICKETS IN MIDDLE
Aaron also said that the Men in Blue had included batters in their playing XI in the past as well. He said that Kuldeep is someone who can take wickets in the middle overs, and this is what they missed in the 2nd ODI.
"It's not that India has never played with seven batters before. They have in the past, and I think Kuldeep would be a great addition because he would get you wickets in the middle. And today again, India were depending on the batsmen to make mistakes, rather than to get wickets in the middle. But they didn't really get the batsman out, if that makes sense. They're two very different things," he concluded.
Also Read: IND vs AUS: India Face Massive Scare Of Historic Whitewash, First Time Against Australia In 41 Years
India will lock horns with Australia for the ODI on Saturday