1 week ago
India Weighs Saransh Jain Debut Against Sri Lanka
India is preparing to play Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo.
A report says Saransh Jain could play his first Test for India.
He might replace Kuldeep Yadav in the team.
Kuldeep took only one wicket in the first Test, although the detailed bowling figures vary between reports.
Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja performed strongly with the ball.
Jain has a good record in domestic cricket and recently took seven wickets for India A. Some former Indian players believe Kuldeep should keep his place.
India has not yet confirmed its final playing XI.
India may hand 33-year-old all-rounder Saransh Jain his Test debut in Colombo on Sunday.
Jain could replace Kuldeep Yadav, who had reported match figures of 1/103 in the Galle Test.
Manav Suthar took 10/131 and Ravindra Jadeja took 4/128 as India won the first Test by 165 runs.
Jain has scored 2,223 first-class runs and taken 188 wickets in 54 matches.
Venkatesh Prasad and Cheteshwar Pujara urged India to give Kuldeep another opportunity.
- Who
- India, Sri Lanka, Saransh Jain, and Kuldeep Yadav are central to the selection decision.
- What
- India may select Saransh Jain for his Test debut in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
- Where
- The match will be played in Colombo; the first Test was held in Galle.
- When
- The second Test is scheduled to begin on Sunday.
- Why
- India is considering another spin option after Kuldeep's limited impact in the first Test, while Sri Lanka has several left-handed batters.
Select Saransh Jain
Retain Kuldeep Yadav
Response to the first Test
Select Saransh Jain
Jain could replace Kuldeep after Kuldeep made limited impact in Galle, while Jain has strong domestic figures and took seven wickets for India A against Sri Lanka A.
Retain Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep should not necessarily be dropped after one match, and former players said he deserves another opportunity.
Match-up against Sri Lanka
Select Saransh Jain
Jain is an off-spinner, and reports noted that Sri Lanka has three left-handed batters among its top seven, making his selection a possible tactical option.
Retain Kuldeep Yadav
Pujara argued that Kuldeep's role is to take wickets, not simply attack the rough, and that occasional expensive spells can be acceptable.
Key facts
- First-Test result
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in a rain-hit match in Galle.
- Potential debutant
- Saransh Jain is a 33-year-old all-rounder who could make his senior India debut.
- Jain's first-class record
- He has scored 2,223 runs and taken 188 wickets in 54 matches.
- Jain's recent domestic form
- He scored 518 runs and took 30 wickets for Madhya Pradesh in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign.
- India's leading spinner
- Manav Suthar claimed match figures of 10/131 in the first Test.
- Kuldeep's performance
- One report gives Kuldeep combined figures of 1/103; another detailed account says he took 1/65 in 14 overs and went wicketless in 11 further overs.
- Former-player opinion
- Venkatesh Prasad and Cheteshwar Pujara backed Kuldeep to retain his place.
Quotes
Cheteshwar Pujara
Former India all‑rounder and former captain
“Kuldeep's job is not to attack the rough. I think his job is to pick up wickets. He might be a little expensive in some of his spells, which is fine, and I've said this again. Someone like Ravichandran Ashwin, uh, when he used to come in to bowl, uh, some of his spells were expensive. He might concede a couple of fours and sixes, but he has the ability to pick up wickets, and Kuldeep is a similar sort of bowler.”
livemint.com
“Let's spare a thought for Kuldeep here. I think that's very important. I think it is important to address as a team management and as a captain; it's important to address Kuldeep Yadav, and I would say, Kuldeep, please don't worry, you're going to play the next Test match as well.”
livemint.com
Sources
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