Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has criticised the team management’s decision to release Kuldeep Yadav from India’s Test squad ahead of the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand. Kartik believes the decision could be difficult for the left-arm wrist spinner to accept, particularly after initially being included in the squad for the red-ball assignment. The Indian selection committee recently made changes to the Test squad, bringing in pacer Gurnoor Brar in place of Kuldeep. The move comes ahead of the opening Test, scheduled to begin at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 19, 2026.
Brar earned his place in the Test squad following an impressive performance in the ongoing ODI series. The right-arm pacer has picked up nine wickets in three innings, including a career-best 4/30 in the fourth ODI in Wellington. He will now join the Test squad and miss the fifth and final ODI at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Meanwhile, India included Mohammed Siraj and Yash Thakur in their playing XI for the series finale. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the changes through an official statement. “The Men’s Selection Committee has added Gurnoor Brar to the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting November 19, 2026, in Wellington. Kuldeep Yadav will be released from the Test squad in order to play the ongoing domestic cricket back in India,” the statement added.
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Kuldeep’s situation has raised questions, considering his limited involvement throughout the New Zealand tour. Although he was initially selected across all three formats, the spinner featured in just one international match. He did not play any of the five T20Is, which India won 3-2, and was also overlooked for the first three ODIs. His only appearance came in the fourth ODI on November 13, where he endured a difficult outing, finishing with figures of 0/73 in eight overs.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Murali Kartik highlighted the importance of communication between the team management and players in such situations. He hoped the management had explained the reasoning behind the decision and made Kuldeep aware of the team’s long-term plans. “I hope they sat him down and told him about the bigger picture. If you have sat him down, it is still hard to accept, but at least you know that this is where you stand.”
“But it is never easy. You have been picked initially, and then you are asked to go and play domestic cricket. It is a different thing when this is happening in India, but being sent back home from New Zealand is different. You have already made up your mind that the wickets are going to be like that,” Murali Kartik said.
Kuldeep is expected to join Uttar Pradesh for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2026-27 after completing his New Zealand assignment. Interestingly, India’s Test squad now features six specialist fast bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar. The selection leaves India without a specialist spinner for the upcoming Test series.
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Kartik further emphasised that Kuldeep’s performances deserve greater consideration, pointing out that the spinner has consistently delivered impressive numbers despite receiving limited opportunities in the Indian playing XI. “It is very hard to accept, especially when you have churned out the kind of numbers that he has. In spite of those sporadic appearances, his numbers are outstanding. You have to make them feel wanted. I think that is the most important thing. He is a match-winning bowler,” the former Indian spinner added.
Kuldeep’s limited opportunities in overseas Test cricket have also been a talking point. Since his memorable five-wicket haul in Sydney during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January 2019, he has featured in only two overseas Tests. He played the opening Test against Sri Lanka earlier this year but was subsequently replaced by debutant Saransh Jain for the second match. Kartik’s comments once again underline the importance of managing a match-winning talent like Kuldeep carefully, particularly when opportunities at the international level have been limited.
