Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin commented on star bowler Kuldeep Yadav after the first ODI against the West Indies. India are hosting the West Indies for three one-dayers and five T20Is and won the first ODI by eight wickets. The West Indies scored 295/7 batting first, where Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 4/40, including a double-wicket maiden.

“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. 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 said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.

READ HERE: Shubman Gill Breaks Silence On ODI Futures Of Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli

Talking further about Kuldeep Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin shared why the wrist-spinner must be a part of India’s playing XI for the 2027 World Cup as well. He also said that Kuldeep would be his first choice and is the number one spinner for India as well.

“You cannot guarantee failure or success. But given the credentials that he has and the kind of bowler he is, Kuldeep has to play in the XI. Only he can enforce in the middle overs. He is showing all the right reasons for him to be your number one spinner. Even if Varun is fit, Kuldeep will be my first choice. If there is too much seam in South Africa, then you can change. But I do not see a reason why he should not be there,” R Ashwin concluded.