Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes Kuldeep Yadav’s batting ability is one of the main reasons behind his limited opportunities in India’s ODI team. He reckons that the team management wants more batting depth in the lower-middle order, especially when playing in overseas conditions.

Kuldeep has not featured regularly in India’s ODI playing XI this year. He has missed five of the 12 matches India have played, with most of those omissions coming in overseas conditions.

The Kanpur-born wrist-spinner was also part of India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against England but did not get a game. The team management preferred Shivam Dube at No. 8, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar handling the spin-bowling duties.

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India have also shown faith in Harshit Rana as a lower-order option. The pacer has often been preferred at No. 8 because of his ability to contribute with the bat. Although Rana is currently injured, he remains part of India’s plans going forward.

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Cheteshwar Pujara explains why Kuldeep Yadav is missing out

Speaking about Kuldeep’s limited appearances, Pujara pointed out that India need players who can contribute with both bat and ball. While he praised the spinner’s bowling, the Test legend batter felt his batting remains an area of concern for the team management.

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“I think in ODI cricket, you need depth, especially when you play outside India. So, when you look at any team, their balance is better only when they have the option of batting at number seven and number eight.

“Number seven has to be an all-rounder, and number eight has to be a bowler who can bat a bit. With Kuldeep, he is a very good bowler, but his batting is not up to the mark. So, India are always looking at someone who can bat at number eight,” Pujara told JioStar.

Notably, Kuldeep Yadav is also part of India's ODI squad for the first three matches against New Zealand, which will start from November 4.

India's ODI squads vs New Zealand

India’s updated ODI squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (C), KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (WK), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (only for the first ODI), Auqib Nabi.

India’s ODI squad for fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (WK & VC), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav


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