I am worried about 1 player

Former India player Mohammad Kaif has expressed concern about Kuldeep Yadav’s place in the playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. He pointed out that the visitors had to use Devdutt Padikkal with the ball in the first Test because they lacked an off-spinner.

India registered an emphatic 165-run win in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The second Test will be played in Colombo from Sunday, August 23, onwards.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Kaif opined that Saransh Jain might replace Kuldeep in the playing XI for the second Test.

“I am worried about one player – Kuldeep Yadav. He might not play the next match. That’s also possible. Whenever he was given bowling, he was given short spells. He didn’t get long spells. Saransh Jain is an off-spinner. Why did Padikkal come to bowl? It was because the lack of an off-spinner was seen in the middle,” he said.

The former India batter pointed out that an off-spinner’s absence was felt in Galle and Kuldeep wasn’t used effectively either.

“When the two left-handers were batting, they were searching for an off-spinner. If they get a turning track and a slow pitch, considering that the absence of an off-spinner was felt and the way Kuldeep was used, I feel that decision might have to be taken. I feel Kuldeep Yadav might not get a chance in the XI. Saransh Jain might get an entry in Colombo,” Kaif observed.

Kuldeep Yadav registered figures of 1/65 in 14 overs in Sri Lanka’s first innings of the Galle Test. He went wicketless and conceded 38 runs in 11 overs in the second innings.

“I want Team India to back Kuldeep Yadav” – Ajinkya Rahane

In the same discussion, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane urged the team management to persist with Kuldeep Yadav if the second Test is played in similar conditions.

“If the wicket is like this, I want Team India to back Kuldeep Yadav because he is a high-quality bowler. He is a match-winner and a wicket-taker. He will have to be played here because he has come into the team after a long time. So he will have to be given a chance again,” he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the left-arm wrist-spinner needs to be backed to boost his confidence.

“How do you build a player’s confidence? Replacing someone is very easy. When there are three spinners, one guy will bowl fewer overs. Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja bowled very well here, but if the conditions are the same, I feel Team India should back Kuldeep Yadav and increase his confidence,” Rahane observed.

Manav Suthar (4/76 in 21.4 overs in the first innings and 6/55 in 23.4 overs in the second innings) was the visitors’ star performer with the ball in the first Test. Ravindra Jadeja registered figures of 3/57 in 21 overs in the first innings and 1/71 in 23 overs in the second innings.