• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Compromised Quality For Quantity Kaif Slams Gills Captaincy After Kuldeep Snub

"Compromised quality for quantity": Kaif slams Gill's captaincy after Kuldeep snub

Soumyajit Dutta

Shubman Gill and Mohammad Kaif [Source: @ShubmanGill7fc/X.com]Shubman Gill and Mohammad Kaif [Source: @ShubmanGill7fc/X.com]

Besides a rain-marred and frustrating first ODI between Australia and India, Shubman Gill’s debut as ODI captain turned into yet another heartbreak for Indian cricket fans. While India suffered a seven-wicket defeat in Perth, Gill’s selection decisions came under scrutiny. 

Kuldeep Yadav, who had been in red-hot form since the Asia Cup 2025, was surprisingly left out in favour of Washington Sundar, which was heavily criticised by ex-cricketer Mohammad Kaif.

Kaif tears into bowlers after a lacklustre performance

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticised India’s bowling unit for their lacklustre performance against Australia. He particularly pointed fingers at Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar for their below-par bowling. 

"In this team there were many part-time bowers. Nitish Reddy is not a complete bowler. On such a pitch even Sundar is not a complete bowler. Harshit Rana would be disappointed with his bowling. It was the bowlers' responsibility to win this game. I know it was a low score. But when will you win games as bowlers then? Will you win only with Bumrah and Shami?" Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Australia chased down India’s revised DLS target of 131 runs in 26 overs with ease, as Indian bowlers struggled to create pressure. Among them, Harshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar picked one wicket each, while Harshit Rana went wicketless, conceding 27 runs in his four overs. Harshdeep Singh proved expensive, giving away 31 runs in five overs despite taking a wicket.

Kaif slams Gill for 'Kuldeep omission'

Kaif didn’t hold back on criticising captain Shubman Gill either, questioning his decision to overlook a proven wicket-taker like Kuldeep Yadav. 

"It was a test of all the bowlers and Gill as well. He did not play Kuldeep in the XI. You covered everything but did not play a wicket-taking bowler. Shane Warne was successful in all formats in Australia. I was disappointed that Kuldeep did not play. Kuhnemann bagged two wickets. You have compromised with quality for quantity," Kaif added.

India’s batting also faltered, with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to make an impact. Gill himself managed only 10 runs off 18 balls. 

It was KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy who offered some resistance, helping India reach 136 in the rain-curtailed contest. India will now look to bounce back in the second ODI against Australia, scheduled for October 23.