Kuldeep Yadav's 4 for 40 forces India to confront spinner selection logic

Kuldeep Yadav took 4 for 40 against West Indies on Sunday to restrict the visitors to 295 despite a 135-run opening stand. The wrist spinner accounted for both openers and later removed centurion Justin Greaves and Jewel Andrew in successive deliveries, finishing with 34 dot balls from his 10 overs.

India chased the target in 41.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 and Shubman Gill made 110 in a 151-run second-wicket partnership. Kuldeep received the player of the match award despite Kohli's century.

The performance comes after a period in which Kuldeep has been dropped for balance reasons, with India preferring all-round options who contribute with the bat. His selection remains contingent on team combinations rather than his wicket-taking ability alone.