Ajinkya Rahane urges team to back Kuldeep Yadav after poor display

Ajinkya Rahane has called on the Indian team management to stand by wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav after his underwhelming performance in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. Kuldeep took only one wicket across two innings while fellow spinners Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja shared 14 wickets between them. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane said Kuldeep needs confidence and backing to deliver in crucial situations.

Rahane, who captained India in Kuldeep's Test debut in 2017, urged captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir to persist with the bowler. He also advocated for retaining the same playing XI for the second Test unless conditions at Colombo's SSC Stadium are vastly different. Rahane recalled that the same venue had offered seam movement in the past, which could force a change in the bowling combination.

Kuldeep's place in the side has come under scrutiny after the Galle Test, where India won by a big margin. Rahane emphasised that Kuldeep is a match-winning bowler and will repay the faith if backed now. The second Test begins on July 24 at the SSC Stadium in Colombo.