India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has spoken up for Kuldeep Yadav after the left-arm wrist-spinner managed just one wicket in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Speaking ahead of the second Test in Colombo, Bahutule made it clear that Kuldeep’s less wickets were more about the role he was asked to play than any drop in form. The pitch in Galle slowed down as the match went on and the left arm spinner had to adjust his lines and speeds session by session. Bahutule said the team management was happy with the effort Kuldeep put in to adapt even if the wickets didn’t come.

“Kuldeep has been bowling extremely well. It’s just that due to the situation that arose in Galle, he had to play a different role. He tried his best to execute that role,” Bahutule said. He also reminded everyone that one game does not define a bowler of Kuldeep’s quality. “He has always been a match-winner, and he definitely is in the scheme of things, he added. 

“We had to see how the trajectory or the speeds work in every session. As the days went by and as there was a demand for different types of speeds and different types of trajectories, he definitely was making an effort to bowl that. I think he was playing his role. So, he was operating as a wrist spinner in a way where obviously the wicket got slower and slower each day. But I'm sure he was bowling the way he normally bowls," Bahutule further spoke.

Indian off-spinner Saransh Jain could make his debut in second Test- Reports 

Indian spin bowling coach Bahutule kept the door open for off-spinner Saransh Jain. Sri Lanka have added more left-handers to their squad, and that could influence the final XI. Yadav piicked up just one wicket in 25 overs across both innings in Galle, while Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar shared 14 wickets between them.

“There is another day to go before the Test. We will have a look at the pitch and understand what will be the need. Yes, the (left-handed) additions are there in their team. We will definitely consider him (Saransh) once the pitch is completely ready to play,” Bahutule said.

India head into the second Test 1-0 up after their 165-run win in Galle, where Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja did most of the damage with the ball. There have been reports coming in that Saransh Jain could be handed a debut and Kuldeep Yadav is likely to make way for him. However it is not confirmed and it will be interesting to see how things pan out. The second Test is set to begin on 23rd August.