Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has called for Kuldeep Yadav to receive more opportunities in the national team ahead of the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The left-arm wrist-spinner was surprisingly overlooked throughout India’s recent five-match T20I series against the Black Caps, despite the team making several changes to its bowling combination. Rayudu even made a special request to his former teammate and current chief selector Pragyan Ojha, suggesting that Kuldeep should be appointed vice-captain to ensure his inclusion in the playing XI.

The former batter believes the spinner has the ability to deliver important breakthroughs and deserves a consistent run in the side. India’s preference for all-round options such as Axar Patel and Naman Dhir has limited Kuldeep’s opportunities. Both players offer additional batting depth alongside their bowling contributions. However, even when Axar was rested for the fifth T20I in Hamilton, the team management opted for Varun Chakravarthy instead of giving Kuldeep a chance. India eventually suffered a seven-wicket defeat in that encounter.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Ambati Rayudu jokingly suggested involving Ojha to resolve the selection issue. “Maybe we should call up Ojha and make Kuldeep Yadav the vice-captain. Ojha, Kuldeep has to play and do something about it. He will take wickets for you,” Rayudu said.

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Rayudu and Ojha share a long association dating back to their Hyderabad cricket days. They also played together for Mumbai Indians and were part of the franchise’s IPL title-winning campaigns in 2013 and 2015. Rayudu also expressed his support for Mohammed Siraj, insisting that the Indian team management must continue backing the fast bowler. With Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya unavailable, Siraj is expected to shoulder significant responsibility during the five-match ODI assignment in New Zealand.

The former batter highlighted Siraj’s recent Ranji Trophy performance, where the pacer delivered a nine-over spell and picked up two wickets despite bowling on a surface that heavily favoured spinners. Rayudu praised his commitment and willingness to put in the hard yards, even in domestic cricket.

He also expressed confidence in Siraj’s fitness, suggesting that the fast bowler could handle the demanding workload of playing all five Tests in next year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy without complaining.

“Siraj has played a Ranji Trophy game recently on a rank-turner; he bowled a nine-over spell and took 2 wickets that looked impossible. He puts his body on the line even in a Ranji Trophy game; that is the kind of attitude he has. I just feel that he is someone who has to be backed. I think he is fit enough to play all five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy next year. He will not complain,”Ambati  Rayudu added.

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Interestingly, former India spinner Murali Kartik agreed with Rayudu’s selections for the opening ODI against New Zealand. Both former cricketers named the same combination, featuring Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. Nitish Kumar Reddy, however, will be available only for the first ODI before joining the squad for India’s two-match Test series.