Kuldeep bowled 25 overs across the two innings in Galle and managed to take only one wicket.
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has called out the Indian team management for not giving longer spells to Kuldeep Yadav in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.
The wrist-spinner delivered 25 overs across the two innings and managed to take only one wicket. Given that both Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar bowled almost double his overs, it led to questions on Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir’s trust on the UP tweaker.
Kaif also pointed out the captain’s lack of trust on Kuldeep. He emphasized that while other spinners have clear successors, it is hard to find a replacement for Kuldeep.
"From how he was used, it is clear that Shubman Gill doesn't have enough faith in Kuldeep Yadav. From my point of view, you won't get a unique bowler like Kuldeep that often. They come just once or twice in history. We may get Ravindra Jadeja's replacement in the future, like we have Suthar; then we had Washington Sundar after Ashwin, but Kuldeep is a unique gift," Kaif said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
"When you give a bowler a spell, especially a wrist-spinner, you need to give him a long spell. The short spells are not helping Kuldeep. Longer spells give you the chance to rectify mistakes. You need time to get into rhythm. Shubman Gill did not back him in that sense," he added.
Kaif agreed with Ravi Shastri's assessment that Kuldeep Yadav is India's top spinner abroad. He noted that overseas pitches require high skill and confidence from the team leadership, unlike tracks that turn easily.
"I agree with Ravi Shastri, who said that Kuldeep is our No. 1 spinner in overseas conditions. You just need accuracy on turning tracks. You will somehow get a wicket by bowling at the same area. But you won't get such turning tracks in New Zealand. I feel Kuldeep will play a major role on flat pitches or pitches where there won't be much turn on offer. You will have to keep his confidence high as captain and team management," Kaif explained.
Kaif also expressed fears regarding Kuldeep’s spot in India’s playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka, slated to begin on August 23 in Colombo. He believes the wrist-spinner might have to pave way for uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain in the starting lineup, considering Sri Lanka’s left-hand-heavy batting order.
"I feel India might be considering playing Saransh Jain in Colombo. The two batters who scored runs, Dickwella and Sonal, are both lefties. There came a time when Shubman Gill was searching for an off-spinner when they were batting. Because of Sri Lanka's in-form lefties, maybe Kuldeep will have to face the axe. It was Suthar vs Saransh earlier; now it will be Kuldeep vs Saransh," Kaif remarked.