​Following India’s 125-run defeat to England in the third T20I at Trent Bridge, cricket legend Anil Kumble criticized the team’s inconsistency and questioned the coaching staff’s frequent changes to the playing XI, with a particular focus on the bowling unit. He pointed to the absence of World Cup-winning spinner Kuldeep Yadav, arguing that it was unfair to exclude him after just one poor IPL season. “Kuldeep Yadav certainly didn’t have a great season in the IPL, but he is a champion bowler. He should have been a part of the squad for this England tour. He was part of the side that won the T20 World Cup, and now he is not part of the squad here in England, nor the team going to Zimbabwe. So yes, it means they have moved on from Kuldeep after just one poor IPL season. I certainly feel that when you pick players, you need to keep backing them. Ups and downs are part and parcel of life. They keep happening, but that doesn’t mean failures end up with you getting dropped from the squad,” Kumble said on JioHotstar’s Match Centre Live. He also addressed Kuldeep Yadav’s age, insisting that the leg-spinner still has plenty to offer and that the team management should back their key bowlers and demonstrate greater consistency in selection. “I think it’s important to also say, okay, who are your main bowlers and who are your bowlers who have done well? It’s not like Kuldeep is 38 years old, and you are looking to bring in the next youngster. He is 31, has a lot of cricket to offer, and he doesn’t play all three formats regularly. He doesn’t play much Test cricket, so it’s not like he is burdened and needs to be rested. He needs to play,” Kumble added. With the series level at 1-1, India now turns to the fourth T20I of the five-match series on July 9, aiming to reset and level the framework of the contest. The veteran spinner’s comments come as a reminder of the enduring value of stability and confidence in selection, especially regarding specialists like Kuldeep who have proven credentials at the highest levels of competition. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the team management takes Kumble’s perspective into account as India seeks to reclaim momentum in the series. The fourth game is seen as a pivotal opportunity to restore balance and to emphasize a clear, dependable bowling plan as India strives to avert a disappointing series outcome and set a more constructive tone for the rest of the campaign.