After the crushing defeat against South Africa in the Super-8 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, questions have started being raised about the playing eleven of the Indian team. Especially the absence of star spinner Kuldeep Yadav has surprised the fans and experts. Meanwhile, Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has further fueled the controversy by making a big claim.
Sensational claim made in Pakistani show
During a conversation in a Pakistani TV show, Ahmed Shehzad said that the reason for Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from the team could not be his poor performance, but the alleged rift with captain Suryakumar Yadav. According to Shahzad, there was an argument between the two players after the India-Pakistan match, after which the team management dropped Kuldeep from the playing eleven. However, this claim has not yet been officially confirmed by the Indian team or management.
Didn’t get a chance after the Pakistan match
In the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan, Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket while bowling three overs. Despite this, he was kept out of the team in the next matches. He was also not included in the playing eleven in the Super-8 match against South Africa in Ahmedabad, where India had to face defeat by 76 runs. After this decision, many former cricketers and analysts are raising the question as to why the experienced spinner was ignored in such an important tournament.
Questions were raised on the coach also
Shahzad also targeted Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir and said that the atmosphere inside the team is not looking good. He believes that there should not be any kind of politics in the team. Gambhir has entered politics before and failed. Now he is bringing the same politics inside the team also.
Might get a chance against Zimbabwe
Now India has to play its next match against Zimbabwe in Super-8. This match is very important to remain in the race for the semi-finals. In such a situation, it is expected that Kuldeep Yadav may get a chance back in the playing eleven. It has now become necessary for the team management to choose the right combination, because another defeat can almost end India’s semi-final hopes. Now it will be interesting to see what changes are made in the team composition in the next match.
