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Test legend Cheteshwar Pujara said that he would be disappointed if India decided to leave out Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test against Sri Lanka. The Daily Jagran earlier reported that Saransh Jain will replace Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test match against Sri Lanka which will take place at the SSC Cricket Ground in Colombo.
Pujara has heard that India could bring in debutant Saransh Jain in place of Kuldeep because Sri Lanka have several left-handed batters. However, he believes India should stick with the same playing XI from the first Test and give Kuldeep another chance.
“In my opinion, India should go with the same playing 11, but I have been hearing that instead of Kuldeep, Saransh can come into the playing 11 because Sri Lanka has a lot of left-handers," Pujara told Cricinfo. “But I will be disappointed if that change happens because someone like Kuldeep should be given another opportunity. He’s a quality bowler. You don’t make too many changes when it comes to Test cricket. You don’t change a winning combination. So I feel Kuldeep should be part of the playing 11," he added.
Kuldeep bowled only 24 overs in the first Test and picked up one wicket. He also bowled far fewer overs than Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar, which raised questions about how much confidence the team management has in him.
However, spin coach Sairaj Bahutule explained that Kuldeep's limited workload was a tactical decision, as the Galle pitch was more helpful to finger spinners.
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Saransh Jain, 33, is yet to play an international match and is an off-spinner. With Sri Lanka having several left-handed batters, his inclusion could give India a different option on a similar pitch.
Pujara also believes India should not worry too much about future series when deciding Kuldeep's place in the team. According to him, the spinner should be backed even if he does not perform in the second Test.
“Even if he doesn’t perform well in the second Test match, I still feel someone like Kuldeep should be backed. He is a quality bowler, and you don’t need to think too far ahead. I still feel you take one match at a time and one series at a time. Maybe in New Zealand, he may not get the opportunity to be part of the playing 11th. So you just continue with him in the second Test match. And then when it comes to playing against Australia, I think he will be the key," he added.