Following a poor performance in the series opener in Galle, Kuldeep Yadav was left out of India’s second Test match against Sri Lanka on August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club. In both innings of the first Test, which India won to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, the left-arm wrist-spinner claimed just one wicket from 25 overs. Kuldeep was not available for selection in Colombo due to a viral sickness, according to the BCCI, which said he had not fully recovered from the infection.
Yadav exclusion has now been questioned by Ravichandran Ashwin, who is worried about how it may affect the spinner’s confidence. When discussing the scenario, Ashwin emphasised how difficult it is for Kuldeep to fit into the squad structure and how difficult it is for him to get consistent Test-level opportunities.
Why Ashwin thinks India ought to have supported Kuldeep
Ashwin contended that after the first Test triumph, India ought to have shown more faith in Kuldeep. He argued that as the two Tests were distinct competitions with their own opportunities and demands, the result of the Galle match shouldn’t have determined Colombo’s decision.
Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja shared the lead in spin bowling during the Colombo Test, claiming ten wickets between them. In two innings, Saransh Jain, making his debut, claimed three wickets. In his analysis of the larger tactical strategy, Ashwin suggested that India lost out on the potential benefits of Kuldeep’s googly and leg-break variants in particular game circumstances due to his absence.
