Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has raised doubts over Kuldeep Yadav’s place in India’s playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka, suggesting that Saransh Jain could come into the side in Colombo. India head into the second Test with confidence after securing a convincing 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in Galle. However, Kaif believes the team may need to rethink its spin combination after noticing a tactical gap during the opening match.
Speaking on Sony Sports, Kaif pointed to India’s lack of a specialist off-spinner as a potential weakness. He noted that Devdutt Padikkal was required to contribute with the ball in Galle, highlighting the need for another option capable of exploiting certain match-ups.
Mohammad Kaif raises questions on Kuldeep Yadav’s place following his limited role in 1st Test
Kuldeep had a relatively modest impact with the ball in the first Test. The left-arm wrist-spinner picked up one wicket for 65 runs from 14 overs in Sri Lanka’s first innings. His involvement was even more limited in the second innings, when he bowled 11 overs without taking a wicket while conceding 38 runs. Kaif felt that Kuldeep’s short spells were another reason for concern.
The former India player observed that Kuldeep was not given extended spells and suggested that his usage may have influenced the team’s thinking ahead of the Colombo 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,” said Kaif.
Saransh Jain could provide the missing option
Kaif believes Saransh could be considered if India decide that an off-spinner is necessary on the conditions expected in Colombo. The former batter specifically highlighted the moment when Devdutt Padikkal was introduced into the attack, arguing that it exposed the absence of a specialist off-spinner in India’s bowling unit.
“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 added.
India may therefore face a selection dilemma before the second Test. Kuldeep offers a different threat with his wrist-spin, while Saransh could provide the variation of a conventional off-spinner and potentially create more favourable match-ups against Sri Lanka’s left-handed batters. With the second Test scheduled to begin in Colombo on Sunday (August 23), India’s team management will have to decide whether continuity or tactical balance is the better approach.
