Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has sharply criticised the team management, including captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, for what he termed a "clear injustice" in the playing XI selections during India's 2-0 series deficit against Australia in the ongoing three-match ODI series. India suffered a heartbreaking two-wicket loss in the second ODI here on October 24, 2025, allowing the hosts to clinch an unassailable lead and extend their dominance in bilateral encounters. Kaif, speaking on his YouTube channel, lambasted the decision to bench specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for both matches, arguing that his inclusion could have exploited the Adelaide Oval's grip and turn to turn the tide against Australia's inexperienced middle order.

Kaif specifically advocated for either pacer Harshit Rana or all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to bolster the lineup but emphasised that the duo cannot coexist due to balance constraints. He questioned Rana's lack of a defining "strength delivery", noting the young bowler's reliance on pace variation suits high required rates of 9-10 runs per over but falters in slower chases around 5-6, where outfoxing set batters demands more versatile skills like those of Mohammed Siraj or Jasprit Bumrah. "I'm following Harshit Rana a lot, but he does not have a solid outswinger or inswinger... his strength is change of pace," Kaif remarked, underscoring the need for bowlers with yorkers, raw speed, or cutters in pressure situations.

Drawing parallels with Australia's performance, Kaif highlighted spinner Adam Zampa's match-winning 4-wicket haul, which earned him Player of the Match and shifted momentum during a tense chase. Zampa's return after missing the opener capitalised on the pitch's assistance for spin, dismissing key Indian batsmen and restricting the total. Kaif asserted that Kuldeep, a far superior wrist-spinner with superior control and variations, would have wreaked havoc similarly, potentially securing victory for India. "If Kuldeep was in the team, I guarantee you 100 per cent that India would have won this game... Kuldeep Yadav is a thousand times better bowler than Adam Zampa," he declared, pointing to the tactical oversight in a do-or-die scenario.

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With the series already lost, attention now shifts to the dead rubber third ODI and the subsequent five-match T20I leg, where Australia has announced changes, including Glenn Maxwell's return. Kaif's verdict resonates amid broader calls for Gambhir to "sacrifice a batsman" for bowling depth, reflecting ongoing debates on India's transitional phase post-Rohit Sharma's retirement. As Gill's young side grapples with selection dilemmas, Kuldeep's omission highlights the fine line between experimentation and pragmatism in high-stakes international cricket.

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