'If that change happens...': Former India batter warns Gautam Gambhir against dropping Kuldeep Yadav for Saransh Jain

In a series of interesting events, former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his concerns over a potential change in India's spin attack for the second Test against Sri Lanka. Pujara revealed that he heard that Kuldeep Yadav might get benched in the second Test against Sri Lanka and Saransh Jain might come in his place. Pujara admitted that such a decision would leave him disappointed as he believes Kuldeep deserves to retain his place despite managing just one wicket in the first Test.

Kuldeep Yadav to lose in his place?

Kuldeep found himself playing a limited role as India's third-choice spinner in the first Test, with Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar delivering nearly twice as many overs as the Uttar Pradesh-based bowler. His limited role raised doubts over how much faith skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir have in the wrist-spinner.

However, spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule explained that the call was taken as per the conditions, with the Galle surface offering greater assistance to finger spinners. That could potentially bring 33-year-old uncapped off spinner Saransh Jain into consideration if similar conditions are expected for the second Test.

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In a conversation with Cricinfo, the former India batter expressed that he wants Kuldeep to appear in the second Test as well despite his underwhelming outing in the opening game, as Sri Lanka has a lot of left handers.

“In my opinion, India should go with the same playing 11, but I have been hearing that instead of Kuldeep, Saransh can come into the playing 11 because Sri Lanka has a lot of left-handers," said Pujara.

"But I will be disappointed if that change happens because someone like Kuldeep should be given another opportunity. He’s a quality bowler. You don’t make too many changes when it comes to Test cricket. You don’t change a winning combination. So I feel Kuldeep should be part of the playing 11," added Pujara.

Kuldeep Yadav's struggle continues

In the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, Kuldeep Yadav endured a challenging outing in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. Despite India securing a 165-run win, Kuldeep struggled to make a significant impact on a surface where finger spinners dominated.

Across two outings, Kuldeep bowled a total of 25 overs, giving 103 runs and managed to clinch only one wicket.