Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has said that Kuldeep Yadav's limited batting ability is the primary reason the wrist-spinner has been left out of several India ODI matches in 2026, with the team prioritising lower-order batting depth — particularly in overseas conditions.

The Numbers Behind Kuldeep's Bench Time

Kuldeep has sat out five of India's 12 ODIs this year, with his absences largely concentrated in away fixtures. Most recently, he was part of India's squad for the three-match ODI series against England but did not feature in the playing XI. The team instead deployed Shivam Dube at No. 8 and handed the spinning duties to Axar Patel and Washington Sundar — both of whom offer considerably more with the bat.

What Pujara Said

Pujara, speaking to JioStar, drew attention to how modern ODI squads are constructed around batting depth in the middle and lower order. '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,' he said.

'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 added.

The Harshit Rana Factor

India have also shown a preference for Harshit Rana at the No. 8 slot, as the pace bowler offers more batting utility than Kuldeep. Rana is currently sidelined with an injury, but according to reports, he remains very much in the team's plans for the longer term. His absence has not automatically opened the door for Kuldeep, underscoring how selective the selection panel has been about the spinner's ODI role.

Abhishek Nayar's Take: Bowlers Win Tournaments

Former India cricketer and ex-assistant coach Abhishek Nayar offered a complementary but distinct view, arguing that a potent five-bowler attack matters more than a long batting tail. He pointed to Australia's title-winning performance at the 2023 World Cup as a case study. 'In the last World Cup, the differentiating factor was how Australia bowled. In the final, Australia took regular wickets, restricted India and then won the championship. So, for me, in ODIs, bowlers win you tournaments,' Nayar said.

Nayar acknowledged that batting depth has its utility in T20 cricket, where the attacking tempo demands a longer bench of hitters, but argued that in the 50-over format, wicket-taking ability across five bowlers is the decisive factor in knockout stages.

What This Means for Kuldeep

The debate puts Kuldeep in a difficult position: his bowling credentials are not in question — he has been among India's most effective white-ball spinners in recent years — but the structural demands of ODI balance mean his selection remains contingent on circumstances rather than form alone. With Axar Patel and Washington Sundar both offering batting insurance alongside their spin, the competition for the spinner's berth remains fierce. How India balance these options in the lead-up to the next major ICC event will be closely watched.