"Ojha, Kuldeep has to play, do something about it" - Iconic IPL winner's message for the chief selector ahead of NZ vs IND 2026 ODIs

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu urged his former teammate and now chief selector Pragyan Ojha to do something about Kuldeep Yadav's game time in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The left-arm spinner has struggled to find a place in the playing XI, especially in overseas matches, after recently spending the entire five-match T20I series against the Blackcaps on the bench.

The team management continues to prefer Axar Patel and Naman Dhir as its spin bowling options because of their ability with the bat, providing depth in the playing XI. India tweaked their combination in the fifth T20I in Hamilton, finding a place for a frontline spinner after Axar Patel was rested. However, even in that scenario, he was not preferred as mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy made his comeback instead.

Ambati Rayudu jokingly suggested that Pragyan Ojha should make Kuldeep Yadav the deputy so that he gets assured game time going forward.

“Maybe we should call up Ojha and make Kuldeep Yadav the vice-captain. Ojha, Kuldeep has to play, do something about it. He will take wickets for you," he said on Cricbuzz.

Ambati Rayudu and Pragyan Ojha share a bond as both came through Hyderabad cricket, and they also shared the dressing room with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), winning the title in the 2013 and 2015 seasons.

Ambati Rayudu also urged the team management to back Mohammed Siraj, who is likely to be India's bowling spearhead in the ODIs amid the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

“Siraj has played a Ranji Trophy game recently on a rank-turner; he bowled a nine-over spell and took 2 wickets that looked impossible,” Rayudu said. “He puts his body on the line even in a Ranji Trophy game; that is the kind of attitude he has. I just feel that he is someone who has to be backed. I think he is fit enough to play all five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy next year. He will not complain," he added.

Mohammed Siraj finished with figures of 2-19 in the second innings of the innings victory over Tripura, a spell that included two maiden overs as well.

The five ODIs in New Zealand run from November 4 to 15, and the two-Test series that follows begins in Wellington on November 19, where Siraj will play a key role as India stand on thin ice in the World Test Championship (WTC) Standings.

Ambati Rayudu and Murali Kartik pick their playing XI for NZ vs IND 2026 1st ODI

Former India spinner Murali Kartik was on the same page as Ambati Rayudu as they both settled on the same playing XI for the ODI series opener against New Zealand.

“Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj,” Rayudu and Kartik agreed.

It is to be noted that Nitish Kumar Reddy will only be available for the first ODI, before linking up with the red-ball side, preparing for the two-match Test series. Furthermore, right-arm pacer Prasidh Krishna was recently ruled out of the series, with Auqib Nabi replacing him in the side.

The first ODI is at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4, with the first ball at 3:00 PM local time, 7:30 AM IST. The Men in Blue have won only one of their last five completed ODIs in the country.

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