"Gambhir again dropped an in-form performing bowler" - Fans furious as Kuldeep Yadav misses out from playing 11 in IND vs SA 2025 1st T20I

Team India spinner Kuldeep Yadav was surprisingly left out of the playing 11 for the first T20I against South Africa in Cuttack on December 9. The 30-year-old has been in incredible T20I form this year, picking up 19 wickets at an average of 10.68 and an economy of 7.12 in nine matches.

Kuldeep missed the final three games of India's most recent five-match T20I series in Australia, returning home for the Test assignments.

However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav stunned fans around India when he confirmed the names missing out on the series opener against the Proteas.

"It (selection) is a very good headache to have. But I’ll tell you the guys who are missing out: Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana," he said at the toss (via Cricbuzz).

Fans on X were similarly furious over Kuldeep's shocking exclusion from the 11.

Here are some of the best reactions:

SPORTY HIRESH

@SportyHiresh

Gone Gambhir again dropped a inform performing bowler Kuldeep Yadav in T20I where there shouldn’t be any question on his place 🥸 #INDvsSA #PlayingXI

AayushKataria

@AKTalksSports

Wow Kuldeep Yadav essentially wins you the ODI series and dropped in T20Is He was the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup with 17 wickets How is Varun first choice over him? Always Kuldeep, the first guy that gets cut out #INDVSSA

कट्टर INDIA समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™

@KKRWeRule

Breaking Kuldeep Yadav Varun Chakravarthy pair may prove to be very costly for us. Hopefully because of dew factor

Fans continued to express their surprise at Kuldeep's exclusion, with one saying:

"Shivam Dube ahead of Kuldeep Yadav I don't understand the logic."

"I am disappointed with India's selection of making Kuldeep out . Why sky and gauti ???," a fan said.

"Kuldeep benched because our batting keeps collapsing, genius selections as usual. Sanju gets the boot right after GG publicly said he would back him… peak comedy era of Indian cricket," posted a fan.

Kuldeep Yadav is coming off a remarkable ODI series against the same opponent

Kuldeep Yadav's omission from the playing 11 for the T20I opener against the Proteas is further surprising, considering his impressive showing against them in the recently concluded ODI series. The veteran spinner finishes as the series' leading wicket-taker with nine scalps at an average of under 21.

Kuldeep's heroics helped India win a closely fought three-match affair 2-1. The wily spinner has also performed exceptionally well against South Africa in T20Is, picking up six wickets in three matches at an average of 14.66.

Kuldeep also boasts an outstanding T20I record at home, picking up 21 wickets in 16 outings at an average of 18.95 and an economy of 7.50. Despite his exclusion, India has two spinners, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy, in the playing XI.

Nevertheless, the Kuldeep-Varun bowling combination has worked magic for the side in the shortest format.

Meanwhile, Team India lost another toss and were asked to bat first by South African skipper Aiden Markram.