Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has emphasised the urgent need to include wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney. After consecutive losses in Perth and Adelaide, Patel believes India cannot rely solely on batting depth and must strengthen their bowling attack, particularly in the middle overs, where Kuldeep’s wicket-taking ability can make a crucial difference.

Kuldeep has yet to feature in this ODI series, having been left out in both Perth and Adelaide. His exclusion drew widespread criticism from fans targeting head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill. With India’s pacers struggling to make breakthroughs against an Australian batting lineup still finding its rhythm, many experts have called for a rebalancing of the side.

In the first two ODIs, India’s playing XI leaned heavily on batting, fielding five specialist batters alongside three all-rounders. Parthiv Patel highlighted that adding more batters at the cost of a frontline spinner has left the bowling unit lacking penetration.

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“We will definitely see Kuldeep Yadav playing in the third ODI. India must trust their top order and maintain the right balance. There’s no need for an extra cushion in batting,” Parthiv Patel told Star Sports. He added, “Kuldeep can provide those crucial wickets in the middle overs that India has been missing. Early top-order dismissals are part of the game. You can’t keep adding batters to cover for that. The focus should be on the best combination to win.”

India’s unchanged lineup in Adelaide included three pacers — Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj — supported by spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Nitish Kumar Reddy added depth in seam bowling.

Despite their efforts, Arshdeep and Harshit took two wickets each, Siraj claimed one, but the spinners failed to exert significant pressure on Australia’s Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly.

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Australia, in contrast, introduced specialist spinner Adam Zampa, who picked up 4/60 and was named Player of the Match. His performance reignited debates about India’s lack of a frontline spinner and strengthened the case for Kuldeep’s inclusion. Analysts argue that Kuldeep would bring variety, control, and wicket-taking potential in the middle overs, addressing a critical area where India struggled in both matches.