Former Indian off-spinner and commentator Ravi Ashwin has backed the veteran wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav to be a part of the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia next year.
Notably, Kuldeep scalped four wickets for 40 runs in the first ODI of the three-game series against the West Indies to emerge as the player of the match. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin talked about the importance of Kuldeep’s inclusion for the mega event.
“Forget the four wickets. Many people are saying this is his comeback. It is nothing like that. He has almost 200 wickets. He has been a champion spinner, and we cannot go to South Africa without him,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Further, Ashwin heaped praise on Kuldeep Yadav for showing up in County cricket and picking up wickets. He claimed career-best first-class match figures of 10/120 (4/70 in the first innings and 6/50 in the second) to lead Yorkshire to an innings and 106-run victory over Essex in September 2026.
“He was a very good bowler; he is a very good bowler, and he will continue to be a very good bowler. I will not agree to anything otherwise. This West Indies batting lineup is no match for Kuldeep Yadav’s skill. But I am very happy that he went and played County cricket, picked wickets, and you can see the results again. Being Kuldeep is not easy, but the rhythm that he showed, I am very happy,” he added.
Shifting our focus to the details of the first ODI, West Indies batted first, and they posted a daunting total of 295/7 in 50 overs. Justin Greaves (101), John Campbell (62) and Amir Jangoo (58*) were the top scorers. Kuldeep Yadav picked up a four-fer.
In the chase, India sealed the deal in 41.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. Virat Kohli (139*) and Shubman Gill (110) were the top scorers in the second innings. The action now shifts to the second ODI in Guwahati on Wednesday, September 30.
