Kuldeep Yadav was benched when India took on Australia in the first ODI in Perth. However, it turned out to be a fixture which was majorly affected by persistent rain, and the hosts ended up winning it by 7 wickets, via the DLS method. As the men in blue gear up for the second ODI, the team selection will again be in focus as they look to bounce back to level the series.

Kuldeep, who last featured in the Champions Trophy final, has been in good form lately. He comes into the white ball tour Down Under following a fantastic run in the Asia Cup, where he picked up 17 wickets in the tournament, and then dominated West Indies at home in a 2-Test series. Yet he couldn’t make a spot in the line-up for the Perth ODI as India went with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar to add depth in the batting line-up.

Reacting to Kuldeep’s chances of playing in the second game on Thursday, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the decision will completely depend on the playing conditions.

“The decision is taken after assessing the wicket. It completely depends on the conditions whether you need an extra batter or a batter at number 8. It’s more about the balance of the team, rather than an individual," Kotak added.

The batting coach was also asked about Yashasvi Jaiswal’s place in the playing XI. While Kotak didn’t straightaway rule out Jaiswal’s selection, he did hint that the star batter, who made his ODI debut on February 6, 2025, against England in Nagpur, has to wait for his chance.

“I think he’s in the squad, in the practice, and they (other youngsters) are pretty much aware that their turn will come, and they prepare well. At the end of the day, only 11 can play, so you have to wait for your turn and then perform," Kotak said.

Source: News18