During the Galle Test, where India went with three left-arm spinners, it was Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja who accounted for 14 of Sri Lanka’s 20 wickets. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna played their role perfectly, providing crucial breakthroughs and the duo picked a total of five wickets in total. And that left Kuldeep Yadav cutting an isolated figure in the mix.
SL vs IND, 1st Test Day 5: Highlights
Kuldeep’s figures in the game read 25-0-103-1. Many have called for the experienced spinner to make way for Saransh Jain for the next match in Colombo as India look to wrap up the series. Sri Lanka have many left-handers in their middle-order, which also amplifies the call for an off-spinner.
But Venkatesh Prasad and Cheteshwar Pujara don’t want Kuldeep to be dropped from the playing XI. Speaking to Sony Sports after India’s win, Prasad said that he will persist with the experienced spinner for the Colombo Test.
“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. There is Saransh Jain in the team as an off-spinner, and there are a lot of left-handers batting for Sri Lanka. It’s probably an easy choice to get Saransh for the next Test match, but I would say no, and I’m going to give him another opportunity,” said Prasad.
The former India pacer said by backing Kuldeep, the team management will give him the confidence to step up in the next match.
“I mean, he didn’t perform as expected, and it’s easy to say OK, let’s get Saransh, who’s an off-spinner, but I would still go with Kuldeep. I think this is how we need to sort of give confidence to the players,” said Prasad.
WHY KULDEEP IS NEEDED
Cheteshwar Pujara said that Kuldeep’s job is to pick up wickets, even if he goes for a bit of runs. The former Indian cricketer compared him to R Ashwin, saying that they will concede a few runs, but get the crucial breakthroughs.
“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,” said Pujara.
Pujara said that Kuldeep takes the pitch out of the equation and can extract whatever spin is there from it, even if it is a flat deck.
“The pitch doesn’t matter if there’s enough turn, yes, obviously he’ll extract that, but even if there’s not enough turn from the pitch, he has the ability to pick up wickets, and sometimes you need to back such bowlers.”
“You need to back them that when when the time is not going their way, that is when you just try and get the best out of them, try and give them that confidence that you are the man, you are the guy who can pick up wickets and who can win you games, and you need such bowlers when it comes to when you are bowling on a flat. On a flat track, uh, you need that skill, and Kuldeep has that,” said Pujara.
India will face Sri Lanka on August 23 in Colombo.
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