Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has questioned captain Shubman Gill's handling of Kuldeep Yadav during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Kaif felt Kuldeep was not given enough time to bowl and said the decision showed that Gill may not have complete faith in the left-arm wrist-spinner.
Kuldeep played a limited role despite the conditions helping the spinners. Manav Suthar took 10 wickets in the match, while Ravindra Jadeja also made an impact with the ball. Both Suthar and Jadeja bowled around 44 overs, whereas Kuldeep bowled only 25 overs across the two innings and finished with one wicket.
Kaif says Kuldeep needs more backing
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said Kuldeep is a rare type of bowler and should be given more opportunities to settle into a game.
"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 would not 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 also explained why he believes wrist-spinners need longer spells. According to him, giving Kuldeep short spells does not allow him to find his rhythm or correct his mistakes.
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"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 said.
Kaif backs Kuldeep for overseas Tests
Kaif also agreed with former India head coach Ravi Shastri's view that Kuldeep is India's best spinner for overseas conditions.
He believes Kuldeep could become particularly important on flatter pitches where traditional finger spinners may not get much help from the surface.
"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 would not be much turn on offer. You will have to keep his confidence high as captain and team management," Kaif said.
India are scheduled to play two Tests in New Zealand from November 19, and Kaif feels Kuldeep could have an important role in that series.
Saransh Jain could replace Kuldeep in Colombo
Despite defending Kuldeep, Kaif believes India could consider handing Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain his Test debut in the second match in Colombo.
Sri Lanka have several left-handed batters, including Niroshan Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha, who made useful contributions in the first Test. Kaif feels an off-spinner could give India another option against them.
"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," he signed off.
Kuldeep's Test record
Kuldeep has played 19 Tests since making his debut in 2018. He has taken 80 wickets at an average of 23.36, including four four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls. His best Test figures are 5/40.
However, he has struggled for wickets this year. In two Tests in 2026, he has taken only four wickets at an average of more than 41.
The second Test between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin in Colombo on August 23, with Kuldeep's place in the playing XI now one of the main selection talking points.