IND vs WI 2025
Aakash ChopraIndia vs AustraliaIndian Cricket TeamKuldeep Yadav Record

Aakash Chopra Drops Kuldeep Yadav For AUS ODI; Backs Axar-Sundar Duo In Shock Playing XI

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 17 hours ago | Oct 16, 2025 12:20 am IST
Aakash Chopra Drops Kuldeep Yadav For AUS ODI; Backs Axar-Sundar Duo In Shock Playing XI

So, you think you know who’s playing for India in the first ODI against Australia? Think again. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra just dropped his predicted playing XI for the October 19 clash in Perth, and the biggest name is surprisingly missing.

Key Takeaways

  • Aakash Chopra sensationally omits star spinner Kuldeep Yadav from his predicted XI.
  • He opts for two spin-bowling all-rounders: Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.
  • Nitish Kumar Reddy is picked as the all-rounder replacement for an injured Hardik Pandya.
  • Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make their return to the ODI squad.

Chopra’s Bold XI: Who’s In, Who’s Out?

Aakash Chopra, sharing his lineup via the Star Sports Instagram handle on October 14, didn’t shy away from making some huge calls. The batting order looks familiar, at least at the top. He’s got Rohit Sharma and the new ODI captain Shubman Gill opening the innings. Following them are the usual suspects: Virat Kohli at three, Shreyas Iyer at four, and the reliable KL Rahul taking the gloves at number five.

But it’s the all-rounder spot that brings the first change. With Hardik Pandya injured, Chopra has slotted in Nitish Kumar Reddy at number six. A like-for-like replacement, sure, but those are massive shoes to fill.

The Big Surprise: Why No Kuldeep?

Here’s the thing that’s got everyone talking. Kuldeep Yadav is out. Yeah, the same Kuldeep who recently delivered a Player of the Match performance in a Test against the West Indies and was crucial to India’s 2025 Champions Trophy victory. He’s been in fantastic form, but he doesn’t make Chopra’s cut.

Instead, Chopra has doubled down on batting depth. He’s picked both Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in his side. It’s a clear strategy to strengthen the lower-order batting, but it comes at the cost of a specialist, wicket-taking spinner. A huge gamble.

Expert Analysis

Chopra’s move is a massive talking point. The logic is to have players who can contribute with both bat and ball, extending the batting lineup all the way down. The pace attack he’s chosen includes Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, a trio with a point to prove. But sacrificing your main strike spinner is a decision that could easily backfire, especially in Australian conditions.

Social Media Storm

You can bet this decision is already causing a stir online. Fans are fiercely loyal to players in form, and dropping Kuldeep is bound to create a massive debate. The question everyone will be asking is whether the trade-off for extra batting is worth losing Kuldeep’s match-winning potential with the ball. This debate will likely rage right up until the first ball is bowled on October 19.

What’s Next for Team India?

This match marks the official return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to ODI cricket since the Champions Trophy final back in March. The squad, led by Shubman Gill, departed from Delhi on October 15 to kick off the white-ball series, which includes three ODIs and five T20Is. After the Perth opener, the teams will play two more ODIs on October 23 and 25.

But honestly, all eyes are on that first team sheet. Will the official management agree with Chopra’s bold call? What do you think? Is dropping Kuldeep the right move? Let us know your ideal playing XI!