CHENNAI: For Kuldeep Yadav, the headlines have always been associated with ‘uncertainty, tricky, unfortunate.’ With the team management’s preference on batting depth, Kuldeep’s playing time has seen a crunch. In the first Test, Kuldeep picked up only one wicket in 25 overs bowled across two innings. With that, his spot in the Indian team has come up for debate again, with Saransh Jain being tipped to replace the spinner.
However, head coach Gautam Gambhir, while remaining tight-lipped on the squad for Sunday’s match, showered praise on Kuldeep.
"Ultimately, we know how good a bowler Kuldeep is. And more importantly, sometimes, it's up to the captain as well (team selection). When you play five proper bowlers, someone will eventually get under-bowled. But it's not about someone not delivering and getting under-bowled. It's the captain or the management's decision as to who will be most effective in that particular condition. "For a very long period of time, we get Kuldeep doing the right things. We know how successful and how effective he can be in a good condition," Gambhir explained in a pre-match press conference in Colombo on Saturday.
Former India Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara, believed that the team management and the captain needed to show faith in him. “Because, if you're a third spinner, you're bound to have those moments where you're not picking up wickets, you're not getting too many movers in a game. So, as a player, there's nothing much you can do,” he said in a virtual interaction facilitated by the broadcaster.
One thing Pujara would advise Kuldeep on is to keep working on his strengths. “Whenever you get an opportunity, sometimes when you're a third spinner, you feel like you have to contain, but try to be a little more aggressive when you come into the attack. Someone like him, who has the ability to pick up wickets should not be looking to contain the batter or be afraid to toss the ball up. He doesn't have to bowl with a flattered trajectory. So, try and stick to your strength,” he further explained.
When Kuldeep gets the opportunity, all should not be about how many wickets he takes or what impacts he brings, according to Pujara. “I think the moment he's a little more relaxed. the moment he goes on with his natural ability and bowls with the kind of strength he has, I'm sure he will be successful, but we'll have to be a little more patient with him. You can’t put too much pressure on him to perform in each and every Test match because he doesn't get too many opportunities, and when you don't get too many opportunities. You still need to show that faith, and that's where I think he can be a great asset for the Indian team,” he said.
Series in sight
India's win in the first of two Test matches against Sri Lanka in Galle seems to have released pressure for the team management led by head coach Gambhir. After stumbling to defeats to the likes of South Africa and New Zealand at home, his team has the opportunity to seal an overseas Test series for the first time since July 2023.
However, question marks over a few players, and India’s position in the World Test Championships points table continue to linger.
"Criticism? My job is to win trophies. That's all I believe in. That is the difference between me and everyone. I don't care about views or likes," Gambhir said. India are currently placed fifth on the standings, but the former India opener couldn't care less about it, with his focus firmly set on winning the second Test. "Rankings do not matter. We are not struggling. Since the England tour, we have played reasonable Test cricket. I think we are going through a transition,” he added. If India complete the sweep, they have a chance to go up fourth in the rankings with 57.58 points. However, it also depends on what happens in Bangladesh’s tour of Australia, where they won the first Test in Darwin. They are currently sitting at fourth with 66.67. If Bangladesh lose the second test, currently taking place at McKay, they drop down to fifth.
After this series, India’s next red-ball assignment is at New Zealand later this year, another two-Test series. With time starting to run out, India needs to jump places in the rankings soon. And sealing this series would be the right step in doing just that.
Watch Sri Lanka vs India 2nd Test from 10 AM IST live on Sony Sports network.
