Why does Murali Kartik want Kuldeep Yadav picked more often across formats?

Murali Kartik said Kuldeep Yadav deserves more consistent selection because he is a match-winner with the ball despite India's preference for all-rounders who add batting depth. Kuldeep has taken 194 ODI wickets at 26.82 and 95 T20I wickets at 13.74, yet has struggled to hold a regular place in the playing XI.

Kartik acknowledged that the push for batting options is understandable but argued that specialist bowlers hold their nerve better under pressure. He noted that Kuldeep is also a handy batter and a superior fielder compared with wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

Kuldeep is one of only two players named in all three squads for India's New Zealand tour alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, yet he has not strung together consecutive matches across recent series.