Kuldeep Yadav's place in India's Test-playing XI remains uncertain under head coach Gautam Gambhir. The left-arm wrist spinner has not been a regular in the team and has moved in and out of the side, leading to questions over whether he will feature in the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif said he is still unsure if Kuldeep will get an opportunity in the series.
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“However, Kuldeep doesn’t get consistent opportunities, so there is still some doubt over whether he will play or not. We assume that he will, but he hasn’t convinced the Indian team with his bowling yet. Whether it is Shubman Gill or Gautam Gambhir, they don’t seem completely convinced by Kuldeep’s bowling. He remains in the squad, but he doesn’t always get to play. So, I’m still a little doubtful about whether they will play him or not,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif also believes Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi is unlikely to be included in the playing XI for the first Test.
“No, I don’t think he (Auqib Nabi) will get a chance in the first match. Because, if you look at it, I’m considering Kuldeep Yadav, and Manav Suthar can also contribute with the bat, so he could come in at No. 8. Nabi might not get the opportunity to play the first match because Mohammed Siraj will play the Test."
Looking at the conditions in Sri Lanka, where pitches usually help spin bowlers, Kaif expects India to play with three spinners and two fast bowlers.
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“On a slow pitch, I’m looking at two fast bowlers, along with Kuldeep, Jadeja and Manav Suthar. If we talk about the bowling combination, Siraj will be there, and the team also has Prasidh Krishna. Yes, Krishna could get a chance because he is a relatively experienced bowler. So, they could go with two fast bowlers in Siraj and Krishna, along with three spinners in Suthar, Jadeja and Kuldeep,” he added.