'India could have used Kuldeep Yadav' – Ambati Rayudu criticises team selection during New Zealand T20Is

At Auckland on October 30, 2026, New Zealand reached 259 for 7 across their 20 overs in the fourth T20 International against India. The total represented India's highest-ever total conceded in T20 cricket, a record that immediately drew scrutiny of the team's bowling strategy and squad composition for the match. According to Ambati Rayudu, the former India batter, the absence of Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI was a significant oversight. Rayudu analysed how the venue's dimensions and India's bowling strengths had created a mismatch that the left-arm wrist-spinner could have addressed. "Axar Patel and Naman Dhir bowl fast.