Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has opened up potential change in India’s playing XI for the second Test match against Sri Lanka. Kaif expressed concern regarding Kuldeep Yadav’s place in the team and said he might not play the next game.
Kuldeep returned with figures of 1-65 in 14 overs he bowled in the first innings. In the second innings, Kuldeep conceded 38 runs in 11 overs, without any wicket to his name. Thus, there are doubts over his selection in the second Test.
Kaif highlighted that India had to use Devdutt Padikkal in the second innings to get an off-spinner in action against Sri Lankan left-handers. Saransh Jain is part of the India’s squad and he has been in fine form in the domestic circuit.
“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,” Mohammad Kaif said on Sony Sports.
The former UP batter highlighted that India missed the services of an off-spinner in the opening Test and Kuldeep wasn’t used effectively.
“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 observed.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane wants team to back Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test.
“If the wicket is like this, I want Team India to back Kuldeep Yadav because he is a high-quality bowler. He is a match-winner and a wicket-taker. He will have to be played here because he has come into the team after a long time. So he will have to be given a chance again,” he said.
Rahane said the team management should back Kuldeep and help his confidence to grow.
“How do you build a player’s confidence? Replacing someone is very easy. When there are three spinners, one guy will bowl fewer overs. Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja bowled very well here, but if the conditions are the same, I feel Team India should back Kuldeep Yadav and increase his confidence,” Rahane observed.
The second Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Colombo from Sunday onwards.
