The IND vs SL 2nd Test began with shocking news for the Indian fans, as Kuldeep Yadav’s name was missing from India’s playing XI, with off-spinning all-rounder Saransh Jain getting his debut Test cap.
India had thrashed Sri Lanka in the 1st Test in Galle by 165 runs. As India aimed for 2-0 cleansweep, there were little reasons to tinker with the winning XI heading into the 2nd Test in Colombo.
But Kuldeep finds himself on the bench once again. Interestingly, the BCCI’s statement on the wrist-spinner’s exclusion has raised eyebrows (more on it below).
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss for the second consecutive time in this series, and once again he elected to bat first. Gill announced at the toss that Kuldeep is out of the 2nd Test, and Saransh, the 33-year-old off-spinner all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, will be making his Test debut.
IND vs SL: Why Is Kuldeep Yadav Not Playing In 2nd Test?
Gill said at toss that Kuldeep “had some infections” and hence is missing the 2nd Test. Soon after, the BCCI released a tweet, saying that Kuldeep hasn’t fully recovered from his illness and wasn’t available for selection. However, the board added, Kuldeep will be available if he’s required as a concussion sub.
The BCCI tweeted, “UPDATE: 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.”
This statement from the BCCI hasn’t sat down with anyone. Fans have asked if Kuldeep wasn’t fit to play, then how would he become fit to come in as a concussion replacement if needed during the game. Fans lambasted the board and the team management headed by Gautam Gambhir for this reasoning.
In the Gambhir regime, Kuldeep has found himself on the bench more than on the field in Test cricket. Since Gambhir took over the reins in July 2024, India have played 22 Test matches, out of which Kuldeep has featured in only seven matches.
Apart from being injured for the five-Test tour of Australia, Kuldeep has been in the squads but missed out from the playing XI for various reasons. He was shockingly omitted from all five Test matches in England last year, despite being one of the rare spinners in the world who doesn’t necessarily require assistance from the pitch to make dents.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka also handed a debut cap to Kamil Mishara, and Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who entered the 1st Test as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal, has retained his place in the Sri Lankan XI.
IND vs SL 2nd Test Playing XIs:
India: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Kamil Mishara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Keshara Nuwantha, Asitha Fernando
By lunch on day 1 in Colombo, India’s score is 88/2, with both openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, dismissed.
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