Published on: Nov 3, 2025 5:39 pm IST|Updated on: Nov 3, 2025 5:39 pm IST
Players’ workload management is quite a trend nowadays, especially with the busy International and T20 franchise calendar. In one such instance, Team India management, led by Ajit Agarkar and coached by Gautam Gambhir, has decided to release senior left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav from the squad. He is asked to return home and prepare for the upcoming 2-match Test series against South Africa at home.
India A is currently hosting South Africa A in two four-day games. The hosts won the first game on Sunday courtesy of Rishabh Pant’s 90 while chasing 275, and the second game is due to begin on November 6 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Kuldeep, who was part of the squad for the first three matches, did not feature in the last game, which India won by 5 wickets. He was also a part of the 3-match ODI series preceding the T20Is, but played only in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which India won quite comfortably by 9 wickets, courtesy of Rohit-Kohli show.
His release is not injury-related but part of a broader workload management plan, especially with a packed international calendar ahead. The BCCI confirmed the move in an official statement, emphasizing that the spinner had been released “as part of workload management.” Check out the updated squads,
While fans may be disappointed not to see Kuldeep in action during the remainder of the series, the long-term benefits of such decisions are undeniable. Preserving the fitness of key players is crucial in modern cricket, where the schedule is relentless and the margin for injury is slim.
On the other hand, after losing the three-match ODI series 2-1, Team India has finally got themselves a win under their belt in the third T20I of the 5-match series. In the three matches played so far in this series, the first game was abandoned due to rain in Canberra, Australia won the following fixture in Melbourne by 4 wickets, and India responded well by winning the third T20I in Hobart by 5 wickets. The remaining two games are slated to be played on November 6 in Gold Coast and on November 8th at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane.