Overview

• India left wrist‑spinner Kuldeep Yadav out of the XI for the series opener in Perth, which Australia won by seven wickets.
• Ravichandran Ashwin criticised the preference for batting depth over specialist bowling, warned of the move’s potential toll on Kuldeep’s confidence, and urged clear communication.
• Mohammad Kaif faulted captain Shubman Gill’s selection, saying India traded quality for quantity by benching a proven wicket‑taker.
• PTI reporting outlines coach Gautam Gambhir’s push to bat to No. 8, noting that fielding Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar leaves little room for Kuldeep in Australian conditions.
• With the next ODI set for Adelaide on October 23, PTI says India could even retain an unchanged XI, though calls to restore Kuldeep have intensified given his recent 17 Asia Cup wickets and 181 in ODIs overall.