India are set to begin their three-match ODI series against West Indies on Sunday, September 27, with the first game taking place at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The series will be another important opportunity for India to build their ODI combination with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.

One player who could have an important role in the series is Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner has returned to India after an impressive run with Yorkshire and has also enjoyed considerable success against West Indies in the past. There are three major reasons why Kuldeep should be part of India’s playing XI for the opening ODI.

Three reasons why Kuldeep Yadav should play in 1st ODI vs West Indies

1. India need him as their specialist wrist-spinner

India’s spin options for the series have been affected by the ongoing 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with players such as Washington Sundar unavailable due to their national commitments. In the ODI squad selected for the West Indies series, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep are the two recognised specialist spinners. While Jadeja can provide control and contribute with the bat, Kuldeep offers a different threat with his left-arm wrist spin and variations.

Leaving Kuldeep out would leave Jadeja carrying most of the specialist spin responsibility. It could also push India towards a four-pacer attack and leave the bowling lineup without another genuine middle-overs wicket-taking option. Kuldeep’s inclusion would give India greater variety and allow Jadeja to operate alongside another established spinner.

2. He is coming off an excellent stint with Yorkshire

Kuldeep also arrives for the series with plenty of confidence. During his recent County Championship stint with Yorkshire, he produced his best first-class match figures, taking 10/120 against Essex at Headingley on September 10. He picked up 4/70 in the first innings before following it up with a sensational 6/50 in the second.

His efforts played a key role in Yorkshire securing a big innings victory. The spinner also enjoyed success across formats during his time with the county. He took 20 wickets in eight recent appearances in the One-Day Cup and County Championship, highlighting his consistency and sharpness heading into the West Indies series.

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3. Kuldeep has a strong record against West Indies

Kuldeep’s previous performances against West Indies provide another reason for his selection. He has produced some memorable spells against the Caribbean side, including an ODI hat-trick against them in Visakhapatnam in 2019. He has also taken a five-wicket haul against West Indies in Test cricket. More recently, Kuldeep delivered another impressive performance at Kensington Oval, claiming four wickets while conceding only six runs in three overs.

Overall, Kuldeep has taken 194 wickets in 121 ODIs at an average of 27.05. His ability to turn the ball both ways and deceive batters with his variations makes him a valuable option during the middle overs. With India beginning another ODI series as they continue to shape their combination for the 2027 World Cup, Kuldeep brings a combination of availability, recent form and previous success against the opposition. Those factors make his inclusion a significant consideration for the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram.

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