Will Kuldeep Yadav sit out the second Test?

Mumbai: The Galle Test match was Kuldeep Yadav’s first outside India for 44 months. Galle: India's Kuldeep Yadav appeals for an unsuccessful wicket on day three of the first test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Galle, Sri Lanka, Monday, Aug.

(PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI08_17_2026_000194A) (PTI)Considering the staggered opportunities given to him by repeated team managements—19 Tests in his 10th year—it is evident Kuldeep is seen as a conditions-specific spinner. Best suited to play at home when tailored pitches encourage playing three, sometimes four spinners.

What Happened

Akin to India playing the third pacer only outside the sub-continent. Therefore, it would not be a major surprise if Kuldeep, following his below-par showing at Galle, is asked to make way for off-spinner Saransh Jain in the Colombo Test match starting.

• His last outing outside the sub-continent was back in 2019 at Sydney, when then head coach Ravi Shastri famously, now infamously declared the left-arm unorthodox as India’s No.

• He has been covering cricket, the governance and business side of sport for close to two decades.

• With competition heating up and a five-Test home series against Australia slated for next year, the chosen one can ill-afford to fail.

Key Details

Sri Lanka is likely to go with a left-hand heavy batting lineup, having added Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige to their squad in addition to the impressive Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella. Indian spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said a final call.

• One is a domestic veteran pushing for a late Test initiation and another a wrist spinner with a proven ODI record, but one who can’t quite settle into the rhythms of Test cricket.

• At SSC, the choice is between two spinners, both who deal in flight and guile, but test different edges of the bat.

• In practice, India more often than not takes the pragmatic approach of backing the finger spin all-rounder in away Tests.

Why It Matters

Some experts have questioned captain Shubman Gill’s use of Kuldeep at Galle, citing a lack of confidence in the senior spinner. Kuldeep, as the third spinner, is being left to make the most of the soft Kookabura.

• The emergence of Suthar - on debut, he outshone Kuldeep against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh - provides India with a credible alternative.

• If that doesn’t stand the test at the highest level, he would be forced out of the attack anyway.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Hindustan Times as more details emerge