Saransh Jain, 33, became the oldest India Test centurion in 21st century.
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss in the second Test and chose to bat first. The interesting thing is that India made one very important change, benching Kuldeep Yadav and giving a Test debut to 33-year-old off-spinner Saransh Jain, making him India's oldest Test debutant in the 21st century.
Shubman Gill revealed that Saransh had replaced Kuldeep, who was unavailable for selection due to an infection. "Kuldeep, unfortunately, had an infection, so he misses out, and Saransh makes his debut for India," Gill said at the toss.
Venkatesh Prasad, former India cricketer, was unconvinced by Shubman Gill’s explanation for dropping Kuldeep Yadav and questioned the reasoning behind the wrist-spinner’s omission.
The former India bowler also chastised Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, demanding that the team management be more open about such selections.
"It will be interesting to see what kind of infection Kuldeep has got. The least they can do is be honest,” Prasad said during a broadcast on Sony Sports.
Taking to social media, the BCCI later revealed that Kuldeep would be available as a concussion substitute if required.
"Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required," the BCCI posted on X.
Sri Lanka also handed Kamil Mishara a Test debut. Dinesh Chandimal is not playing due to injury sustained during the Galle Test, with his concussion substitute Pasindu Sooriyabandara in the team.
India made 88/2 at lunch, having lost the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal (45) and KL Rahul (18), with Devdutt Padikkal and Shubman Gill at the crease.