Now Reading: Kuldeep Yadav backed for 2nd Test but Saransh Jain in fray
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Kuldeep Yadav backed for 2nd Test but Saransh Jain in fray
India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has backed wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test against Sri Lanka but kept off-spinner Saransh Jain in contention, reports The Hindu. Bahutule said Kuldeep has been bowling well but had to play a different role in Galle due to the match situation, and remains a match-winner.
NDTV Sports reports the selection choice between Saransh Jain and Kuldeep Yadav is being discussed. With Sri Lanka adding left-handed batters to the squad, the option of playing off-spinner Saransh Jain has grown stronger. Bahutule said the team will look at the pitch before deciding.
Kuldeep looked rusty in the first Test. Bahutule said pitches are sometimes slow and the ball behaves differently for spinners, making it harder for a wrist-spinner like Kuldeep when the ball softens. A final decision will be made after inspecting the pitch on the eve of the match.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both sources report the same facts neutrally: Kuldeep is backed by the coach but Saransh Jain is a genuine option because of Sri Lanka's left-handers. NDTV frames it as a selection dilemma, leading with 'should be dropped', while The Hindu leads with the coach's support for Kuldeep, then notes the competition. Neither outlet takes a critical or partisan stance. The measured reading is that Kuldeep retains the coach's faith but his place is not guaranteed, with the pitch and opposition composition being the final deciders. Watch for the playing XI announcement on match day.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): sports.ndtv.com (neutral report), thehindu.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
