“It is not good for him or the Indian side” – Ambati Rayudu suggests one change in India’s playing XI for NZ vs IND 2026 2nd ODI

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu urged the team management to try to find a slot for star spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI in the upcoming second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington. The left-arm bowler was left out of the side for the series opener in Auckland, with Axar Patel and Naman Dhir being the spin bowling options, much like the recently concluded T20I series.

Kuldeep Yadav did not play a single match across the five T20Is against New Zealand, a series India won 3-2, and he stayed on the bench even in Hamilton when Axar Patel was rested and Varun Chakravarthy came into the XI.

Furthermore, he has featured in only three of India’s 35 matches in SENA countries over the past two years, a reflection of a team structure in which head coach Gautam Gambhir has preferred batting depth down to number eight, with Hardik Pandya unavailable and three specialist quicks usually filling the attack.

Ambati Rayudu admits that India can rely on their seamers if the conditions suit it, but still feels that they should try to squeeze Kuldeep Yadav in for the sake of his confidence and rhythm.

“I think it depends on the conditions. If New Zealand go on and give such wickets then they can go on and keep playing this attack. Whenever one of the fast bowlers looks a little tired, you can manage his workload by bringing in Mohammed Siraj. After a win in the first game, you would not want to change much. But I would definitely try to get Kuldeep into the mix, because he has been sitting on the bench for a while, and it is not good for him or the Indian side. So just test him out and see,” Rayudu said on Cricbuzz.

Rayudu had pushed for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion before the series began, joking on Cricbuzz that chief selector Pragyan Ojha should simply make Kuldeep the vice-captain so the management would have no choice but to pick him. However, India went with a seamer-centric approach, with as many as four frontline quicks to make the most of the overcast conditions and a lively pitch.

“I have given up guessing about the playing XI now” – Murali Kartik’s huge remark on India’s team combination for NZ vs IND 2026 2nd ODI

Former India spinner Murali Kartik, working alongside Rayudu on the same Cricbuzz discussion, said he had stopped trying to predict what the think tank will do, given their erratic decision-making at times. The majority were in for a major surprise after the trio of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj did not feature in the playing XI for the series opener.

The all-rounder was named only for the first ODI as he departs to link up with the red-ball setup to prepare for the two-match Test series.

“I have given up guessing about the playing XI now. I would have definitely, with my eyes closed, after the captain, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, I would have put Mohammed Siraj at No.11. But that did not happen. At No.10, I would have put Kuldeep Yadav; that also did not happen. So whatever works, as long as you keep winning, it is fine. It is too early to rotate the bowlers; if you have won, why change?” Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz.

India’s bold calls paid off in the first ODI as the pace battery skittled out New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs after Shubman Gill elected to bowl first. The Men in Blue will have time to experiment and shake things up in the playing XI towards the end of the series when several high-profile players depart to prepare for the Tests.

Edited by Gokul Nair