India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the Galle Test to take 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
The debate surrounding Devdutt Padikkal's position at No. 3 and Gautam Gambhir's selection philosophy has intensified following India's 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle.
Padikkal seized his opportunity due to an injury to Sai Sudharsan, scoring a total of 211 runs in the match (167 and 44) to earn the Player of the Match award.
This performance has triggered sharp criticism from former BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth, who questioned Gambhir for previously backing Sudharsan to get a long, uninterrupted run at No. 3 despite Padikkal piling up significant runs in domestic first-class cricket.
Srikkanth also stated that "Gambhir has no work in the Sri Lankan series" because India's sheer squad depth makes a victory over the home side a foregone conclusion.
"Gambhir has no work. How can you replace Padikkal going forward with the 200+ runs he has scored in the first Test? Gambhir just says something, and anyway he has no work in the Sri Lankan series because Sri Lanka is a bad side and India will surely win. He'll jump after winning against sides like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
He added, "I am not trying to be harsh on Gambhir. He was a good player and is a good reader of the game. But he can be a bit more communicative. He was very effective as a player, though."
Srikkanth also expressed fears regarding Kuldeep Yadav’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 after his underwhelming show in Galle.
Kuldeep 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 regarding the team management’s trust on the UP tweaker.
"I am not sure Kuldeep Yadav will play the second Test. He will be dropped, and Saransh Jain will play," Srikkanth remarked.