India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule strongly backs Kuldeep Yadav amidst Saransh Jain debut speculations in IND vs SL 2nd Test

India's spin bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, firmly dismissed concerns regarding Kuldeep Yadav’s form ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, clarifying that the wrist-spinner's performance in Galle was a matter of tactical adaptation rather than a loss of rhythm. Addressing the media, Bahutule emphasised that the match dynamics dictated a shift in strategy, forcing Kuldeep to embrace a specific defensive role and adjust his plans on the fly.

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Sairaj Bahutule defends Kuldeep Yadav amidst lean patch

A key point of discussion was Kuldeep's noticeably flatter trajectory, a departure from his signature flight and loop. Bahutule explained that this adjustment was a calculated response to evolving pitch conditions over the course of the Test. As the surface slowed down, varying speeds and release heights became necessary to stay competitive, and the coaching setup was pleased with how actively Kuldeep experimented to meet those in-game demands. Kuldeep managed to take just one wicket in the series opener which also triggered the speculations around Saransh Jain's potential debut in Colombo Test.

Defending the bowler's overall output, the coach maintained that Kuldeep stayed true to his core identity as a wrist-spinner despite the challenging environment. Even as the pitch offered progressively less turn and pace, Kuldeep executed his designated role effectively, leaving the team confident in his ability to deliver as the series progresses.

"He was playing his role. Each bowler has his own strengths. He was operating as a wrist-spinner in a way, where obviously the wicket got slower and slower each day. But I'm sure he was bowling the way he normally bowls," Bahutule said at the pre-match press conference.

Bahutule all praise for Manav Suthar

Praising the rise of young spinner Manav Suthar, Bahutule highlighted how the bowler's extensive Ranji Trophy background has given him a deep, mature understanding of his own craft. Transitioning into the international setup, Suthar's ground-level experience in domestic cricket has provided a solid foundation, allowing the coaching staff to focus on tactical refinement rather than mechanical overhauls. Bahutule noted that the primary goal with the young talent is enhancing situational awareness—teaching him to read varied pitch conditions, assess different batter matchups, and adjust field settings effectively on the fly. Rather than overloading Suthar with technical tweaks, the focus remains entirely on keeping things simple and building upon his core strengths.

The coach commended Suthar's consistency, pointing to his control over trajectory, strong seam position, and natural revolutions on the ball, describing him as a dependable option who reliably hits the target length. That accuracy paid massive dividends in the series opener, where Suthar claimed a sensational maiden 10-wicket match haul to complement Devdutt Padikkal's first-innings 167, anchoring India's commanding 165-run victory.