Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Kuldeep Yadav’s Colombo Test Place Faces Fresh Selection Debate
India is getting ready to play Sri Lanka in a second Test match in Colombo.
The team is deciding whether Kuldeep Yadav should keep his place.
Kuldeep took only one wicket in the first match.
Saransh Jain may replace him, especially because Sri Lanka has several left-handed batters.
Ravichandran Ashwin says India should continue trusting Kuldeep as its third spinner.
Coach Sairaj Bahutule says Kuldeep is still a match-winner.
He explained that a soft, older ball can make bowling difficult for wrist-spinners.
Mohammad Kaif also said Kuldeep needs longer spells to find his rhythm.
India will inspect the pitch again before finalizing the team.
India is considering whether to retain Kuldeep Yadav or select Saransh Jain for Sunday’s second Test in Colombo.
Kuldeep took one wicket in 25 overs during the first Test in Galle and appeared less threatening than Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar.
Ravichandran Ashwin said Kuldeep should remain India’s third spinner and receive greater backing.
Spin coach Sairaj Bahutule called Kuldeep a match-winner and said he remains part of India’s plans.
Mohammad Kaif argued that Shubman Gill’s use of short spells showed insufficient faith in Kuldeep.
- Who
- India, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Kaif and Sairaj Bahutule are central to the selection debate.
- What
- India is deciding whether to retain Kuldeep Yadav or replace him with Saransh Jain for the second Test.
- When
- The second Test begins on Sunday, with India expected to assess the pitch again on Saturday.
- Where
- The match will be played at the SSC in Colombo, Sri Lanka; the first Test was played in Galle.
- Why
- Kuldeep’s limited impact in Galle, his short spells and the presence of Sri Lankan left-handed batters have prompted questions about his place.
Back Kuldeep Yadav
Consider Saransh Jain
Selection after Galle
Back Kuldeep Yadav
Ravichandran Ashwin said Kuldeep should continue as India’s third spinner, while Sairaj Bahutule described him as a match-winner who remains in the team’s plans.
Consider Saransh Jain
Kuldeep’s one wicket in 25 overs and his lesser impact than Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar have fueled suggestions that Saransh Jain could replace him.
Use of bowling spells
Back Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammad Kaif said wrist-spinners need longer spells to find rhythm and correct mistakes, arguing that Kuldeep was not backed sufficiently.
Consider Saransh Jain
The limited spells may reflect the team’s assessment of the match situation and the conditions, including the presence of left-handed Sri Lankan batters.
Effect of the ball
Back Kuldeep Yadav
Bahutule said the soft ball makes conditions particularly difficult for wrist-spinners and that one match should not determine Kuldeep’s standing.
Consider Saransh Jain
India must still decide whether another spinner would be better suited to the Colombo pitch and the opposition’s batting lineup.
- Match
- India’s second Test against Sri Lanka
- Venue
- SSC, Colombo
- Start
- Sunday
- Kuldeep’s first-Test figures
- One wicket in 25 overs
- Possible replacement
- Saransh Jain
- Selection decision
- India will inspect the wicket again on Saturday
- Long-term context
- India is scheduled to play seven Test matches over the next six months
