India defeated Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two match series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium by a margin of 165 runs.
to come back in contention for reaching the final of the World Test Championship 2027. One of the stars of the show for India was Manav Suthar, who bamboozled the Sri Lankan batters with his spin in what was his second Test match. He finished with figures of 10/131 in the match, thus nailing his first 10-wicket haul. However, it was a Test match to forget for India’s talisman spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and former India batter Aakash Chopra feels that it might be a wake-up call for the left-arm leg spinner.
Kuldeep Yadav bowled the fewest overs among the three spinners. In total he bowlerd 25 overs across two innings, conceded at 4.64 runs an over- making the most expensive bowler. He also took just one wicket across the two innings.
“We all have to pay attention to where Kuldeep Yadav goes from here, and Kuldeep himself will have to pay attention to what he needs to do. He bowled only 14 overs in the first innings. Among the spinners, Manav Suthar bowled 22 overs, and Ravindra Jadeja bowled 21 overs. Who was the spinner who bowled the fewest overs? Kuldeep,” Aakash Chopra said on his official Youtube channel.
“Who was the most expensive spinner? Kuldeep. He conceded 4.64 runs per over. When the second innings came, we gave the 30th over to Kuldeep Yadav. Who was the most expensive spinner? Once again, you will find Kuldeep Yadav. 38 runs in 11 overs. Who was the spinner who bowled the fewest overs? Kuldeep,” he added.
‘Saransh Jain Can Come In Place Of Kuldeep Yadav’
Aakash Chopra also said that while there is empathy in the fact that Kuldeep Yadav has not gotten enough chances, he also acknowledged that the spinner needs to make most of his opportunities.
“There is empathy thus far that he is not getting chances consistently, and what is happening is not right, but the truth is also that you need to make the most of the opportunities you are getting. If you are unable to do the job properly, we also won’t be able to talk like that for long because the pressure will keep building,” he said.
Aakash Chopra also reckoned that Saransh Jain could get a debut in the second Test vs Sri Lanka in place of Kuldeep given.
You have two left-arm spinners, and both are doing a good job. Both pick up wickets and contribute with the bat. I am talking about Jaddu and Manav. So you can give Saransh Jain his debut in place of Kuldeep because there are left-handers in the opposition. In such a scenario, if you get an off-spinner, why not? You start thinking along those lines,” Chopra observed.