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India are all set to take on Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle on Wednesday. On the eve of the first Test, team selection, particularly selection of bowlers, is expected to give a mild headache to Indian skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri.
Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav has proved himself in the warm-up match against President’s XI with his four-wicket haul in Colombo. His 4 for 14 in a two-day game is a good sign before the first Test in Galle where India will start their campaign to defend the series which they had won in 2015. Also Read: India look to set momentum at Galle
Before India’s tour of Sri Lanka, Kuldeep Yadav had made his ODI debut in West Indies. In the second one-dayer at Port of Spain against the West Indies Kohli, after India’s 105-run victory, said Kuldeep is even more lethal on dry wickets. “When the batsmen try to attack, he can slow his pace down, and just beat them halfway into the pitch. So he’s quite amazing with what he does with the ball. I’ve faced him in the IPL as well. He’s not easy to get away – especially when the wicket is dry like it was today. He becomes even more lethal,” said Kohli.
But before Kuldeep’s debut earlier this year in Dharamsala Test against Australia there was a small disagreement between former India coach Anil Kumble and Kohli regarding his selection. While Kumble was keen to play Kuldeep but Kohli, who was sitting out due to a shoulder injury, was against the move. However, under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, Kumble’s move proved right as Kuldeep claimed four wickets conceding 68 runs in his debut Test.
Many believed this to be the possible reason that sparked the rift between Kumble and Kohli. Also Read: Curd rice to chicken curry: Team India’s menu in Sri Lanka
In the Dharamsala Test, which was also a series-decider, Kuldeep’s four-wicket haul restricted Australia to 300 in the first innings. His victims were David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb. But the bowler was overlooked for the Champions Trophy where Indian prime spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin apparently failed to justify their selections. Many believed selection of Yadav would have helped India to prevent Sri Lanka and Pakistan from scoring heavily in the middle overs. But, unfortunately, India lost both the matches.
Now the question is whether Kuldeep will get to play in the Galle Test and also the following two Tests. In India’s last Test series in Sri Lanka in 2015, Ashwin was the highest wicket-taker. In the two-day warm-up game, Ashwin went wicketless while Jadeja returned with three scalps. Being the senior spinners, it is highly unlikely of any one sitting out the Galle Test.
The 22-year-old Kuldeep can prove to be a surprise element if India decide to give the young spinner a chance. As a bowler he looks to attack but it needs to be seen how Shastri and Kohli prepare him for the future. If managed properly, Kuldeep would turn out to be India’s potential match-winner in all formats.
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