IND vs SL 2nd Test: The second Test match between India and Sri Lanka is going to be played from August 23 at the historic SSC ground in Colombo. Despite India’s victory in the first Test, many questions are being raised about the place of the team’s veteran Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. In the first Test match played at Galle, Kuldeep bowled a total of 25 overs in both innings, but he could only take 1 wicket. On the other hand, the speculations about whether Kuldeep will be left out of the Colombo Test after the brilliant performance of the young spinner Manav Suthar and the entry of Saransh Jain into the team were rife. However, Team India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has put an end to all these speculations.
Speaking to the media at the SSC ground on Friday, spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule strongly defended Kuldeep Yadav. He made it clear that team management does not decide a player’s future based on a single match performance. “Kuldeep is a very good bowler and has always proved to be a match-winner for the Indian team. The conditions in Galle were different, where he had to play a different role. He is definitely a very important part of our future plans,” Bahutule said. Although he refrained from giving a direct answer on whether Kuldeep will play in the final playing XI for the Colombo Test, his stance suggests that the team management is in no mood to outright rule him out.
A challenge for Kookaburra softball and wrist spinners
Coach Bahutule also explained the technical reason behind Kuldeep’s struggles in the Galle Test. He said the state of Galle’s pitch and the quick softening of the Kookaburra ball after its initial luster wore off, created problems for the wrist spinners. Finger spinners find it relatively easy to bowl with soft balls, as they can easily change the speed and flight of the ball with their fingers. But for wrist spinners, getting a grip and giving spin becomes a challenge once the seam becomes soft. The pitch slowed as the match progressed, necessitating changes in speed and pace, and Kuldeep constantly tried to adapt to the conditions.
Manav Suthar took 10 wickets and left a mark
While defending Kuldeep, spin coach Bahutule was effusive in his praise of young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar. About Manav Suthar, who created a sensation with 10 wickets in the Galle Test, Bahutule said he is proving to be a “banker” for the Indian team. He added that Suthar has bowled a lot in domestic cricket and has a strong understanding of his bowling. His greatest strength is his accuracy, which helps the team consistently bowl on the required line and length. Currently the coaching staff is constantly working on him to bowl from different fielding settings and different line-lengths against left-handed and right-handed batsmen.
Choosing spin combinations in the Colombo test is a complex puzzle for management
In the first Test, Manav Suthar took 10 wickets and Ravindra Jadeja also provided excellent support as they took 14 wickets together. Under these circumstances, it will be interesting to see which spin combination the Indian team will field in the second Test at Colombo. Will the team management play 10-wicket hauler Suthar, veteran Jadeja and Kuldeep – all three together? Or will newcomer Saransh Jain be given a chance? All these questions will be answered at the toss on the day of the match on August 23.