# Rahane backs Kuldeep as spot in India Test XI under threat 2026-08-20T13:21:37+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has urged the team management to stand by struggling spinner Kuldeep Yadav, saying the left-arm wrist spinner will deliver if backed. Rahane's comments come after Kuldeep took just one wicket in India's first Test win against Sri Lanka in Galle, where other spinners Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja dominated. Rahane, speaking on his YouTube channel, said the same XI should play the second Test unless conditions at Colombo's SSC Stadium are drastically different. However, rediff.com reports that Kuldeep's Test spot is in doubt after his forgettable Galle outing. The Indian team management is considering replacing him with off-spinner Saransh Jain for the second Test, partly because Sri Lanka have several left-handed batsmen. Former India leg-spinner L Sivaramakrishnan, speaking to PTI, advised Kuldeep against bowling faster, saying spin happens in the air and quicker deliveries skid off the pitch. Sivaramakrishnan also noted that lack of preparation with the Kookaburra ball may have contributed to Kuldeep's poor performance. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Times Now's report leads with Rahane's supportive message, framing the selection question as one of loyalty and confidence, while omitting the team management's reported move to replace Kuldeep. Rediff.com, by contrast, leads with the selection threat, expert technical critique, and preparation gaps, giving a fuller picture of the risk to his place. The measured takeaway: Rahane's endorsement is genuine but may not sway the think-tank, which appears to prioritise match-up tactics (off-spinner vs left-handers) over sentiment. Watch for the final XI announcement before the second Test on Sunday. ## Coverage Coverage: 2 sources, 1 neutral, 1 sensationalist - timesnownews.com (sensationalist) Leads with Rahane's emotional appeal, omits team management's replacement plan - rediff.com (neutral report) Presents selection doubts, expert advice, and team considerations without drama This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources. Last updated 2026-08-20T14:11:12+00:00. Tags: Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, India cricket team, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Sri Lanka Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ajinkya-rahane-urges-team-to-back-kuldeep-yadav-after-poor-display/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ajinkya-rahane-urges-team-to-back-kuldeep-yadav-after-poor-display/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/