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India's team selection for the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4, has raised a few eyebrows. Former India spinner Murali Kartik was among those left puzzled by the playing XI, questioning the absence of several established players despite their presence in the squad.
India went into the series opener with Axar Patel and Naman Dhir as their spin-bowling options. However, the decision to leave out Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj did not go down well with Kartik. He also questioned the team's approach towards Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been viewed as a potential all-round option for India.
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Kartik felt the selection decisions lacked clarity, particularly when some players continued to get opportunities despite concerns over their recent performances.
Murali Kartik questions India's selection strategy
Kartik was particularly surprised by the decision to leave Siraj out of the playing XI. The experienced fast bowler has been a regular part of India's plans, and the former spinner wanted to know what had prompted his exclusion.
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He also pointed towards Gurnoor Brar's recent performances, questioning why the team management continued to back certain players while others were left out. Kartik brought up Aaqib Nabi's performances in domestic cricket as another example of a player who could have been considered.
The former India spinner also found it difficult to understand why Nitish Kumar Reddy was selected for the match but did not make the final XI, especially if the team was looking to develop him as an all-rounder.
"Literally belies logic for me. I'm trying to figure out what, because what is it? Gurnoor has gone for 96 or 97 runs twice now," Kartik said on Cricbuzz."Aaqib Nabi did really well in Ranji Trophy cricket, and why are you getting rid of Mohammed Siraj from the playing XI? What wrong has he done? You are trying to groom Nitish Kumar Reddy as the next all-rounder, and you have picked him for only this game, but he is not there," he added.
Murali Kartik raises concerns over Kuldeep Yadav's confidence
Kuldeep Yadav's continued absence from the playing XI was another major talking point for Kartik. The wrist-spinner has been part of India's squads across all three formats of the tour but has struggled to find a place in the final XI.
Kartik questioned whether the dimensions of Eden Park were really a reason to keep Kuldeep out. He pointed out that Auckland's ground conditions and boundaries should not be compared with those at venues such as Melbourne or Adelaide.
More importantly, he felt repeated exclusions could leave a player wondering what he needs to do to earn a regular place in the side.
"Kuldeep Yadav, what does it have to do with the size of the boundary? New Zealand is not Melbourne or Adelaide. He is the common denominator; he is in all three squads. Whether you are a rhythm bowler or not, just from a mental perspective, you are always thinking about what needs to be done to find a regular place in all three teams," Kartik said.
Kartik's comments also brought attention to the uncertainty players can face when they are repeatedly included in squads but do not get opportunities on the field. For someone like Kuldeep, who has established himself as an important part of India's bowling attack, such decisions could affect confidence and make it difficult to settle into a rhythm.