Ex-India batter Mohammad Kaif has written off the Punjab captain Shubman Gill for not trusting Kuldeep Yadav with the ball in the first ODI against Australia in Perth. India’s ODI series opener ended in disappointment as they lost the match by seven wickets, which was not the best way to start Gill’s stint as captain. After winning the toss and electing to bat, India could score merely 136/9 in a 26-over rain-shortened match and thus failed to defend the low total.

“You compromised with quality for quantity,” says Mohammad Kaif

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif expressed disappointment over Kuldeep’s exclusion, calling him a proven match-winner. He compared the decision to Australia’s history of trusting quality spinners like Shane Warne. “It was a test for all bowlers and for Gill as well. You covered everything but didn’t play a wicket-taking bowler. Shane Warne succeeded in all formats in Australia. I was disappointed that Kuldeep didn’t play. You compromised with quality for quantity,” Kaif said.
Kuldeep has been in exceptional form, having led India’s bowling attack in the Asia Cup 2025 with 17 wickets from seven innings. He also shone in the recent Test series against West Indies, claiming 12 wickets in four innings, and has an impressive record against Australia with 31 wickets in 23 ODIs.
Kaif further said India’s bowlers should have delivered in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. “There were many part-timers in the team. Nitish Reddy and Sundar are not complete bowlers. It was the bowlers’ responsibility to step up. When will you win games as bowlers then?” he added.
India fielded three all-rounders—Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar—but the move backfired. The focus now shifts to the second ODI in Adelaide on October 23, where changes could be on the cards.