Kuldeep Yadav ruled out of second Test due to viral fever

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Kuldeep Yadav missed the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo due to a genuine viral fever, rejecting speculation that the team faked his illness. Kotak said Kuldeep was not in a position to be considered for selection. The BCCI had earlier stated that Kuldeep had not fully recovered from his viral illness but could be used as a concussion substitute if required.

Kotak's comments countered bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule's earlier explanation that Kuldeep's absence from nets was due to travel fatigue. Kuldeep took only one wicket in the first Test in Galle and was underbowled. His absence allowed debutant off-spinner Saransh Jain, who at 33 became the oldest Indian Test debutant this century, to replace him. Kotak noted that Sri Lanka's four left-handers made an off-spinner a logical choice.

India ended day one at 300 for five, powered by Devdutt Padikkal's second successive century (117 off 168 balls). Rishabh Pant retired hurt after being hit on the forearm but is expected to resume batting on day two. Kotak said India would aim to convert the total into a big score with lower-order contributions.