Ashwin questions Kuldeep's omission, says repeated snubs 'can affect confidence'

Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned India's continued omission of Kuldeep Yadav, warning that the left-arm wrist-spinner's prolonged absence from the playing XI could dent his confidence and rhythm.Kuldeep was once again left out of India's side for the third and final ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday, despite the visitors missing two frontline bowling options. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with a knee injury, while all-rounder Washington Sundar was unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury. Yet, the Indian team management opted for a pace-heavy attack comprising four fast bowlers and only one specialist spinner in Axar Patel, leaving Kuldeep on the sidelines.Reacting to the decision, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed sympathy for Kuldeep, suggesting that repeated omissions could negatively impact the spinner's confidence."The only defense for not playing Kuldeep usually is that the batting finishes at number 7.