Kuldeep managed to pick up just one wicket in Galle as India sealed a 165-run win in the series opener. India currently lead the two-match series 1-0 after their emphatic victory in Galle, which marked the team’s 600th Test.
India’s selection choice between off-spinner Saransh Jain and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test against Sri Lanka will hinge entirely on the state of the pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club, said former Sri Lanka cricketer Russell Arnold. At the same time, Arnold suggested that the Indian think tank should make the decision on whether to replace Kuldeep with Jain only after assessing the pitch during their practice session on Friday. The visitors will look to press home the advantage when the Colombo Test begins on Sunday.
If you look at the older ball after 30-40 overs, not many wickets were picked up. But again, that decision should be left till tomorrow because, when you look at the pitch, it will dictate that (toss-up). Because if it looks like it is on the drier side and can turn early, in line with the stumps, then Saransh Jain might be the option, it’s. “So that’s a case of the pressure building or trying to dominate the bowlers a little too early, rather than showing the patience that’s needed on the pitches here in Sri Lanka.
“Well, it is the left-handers who did really well for Sri Lanka, and hence, it does make sense to have an off-spinner coming in. “When it comes to the top order, when the ball is hard, it does tend to do a bit. It’s not easy to play your shots. I think the Sri Lankan top order were guilty of playing those shots way too early. Even Kamindu Mendis, who’s experienced and has scored lots of runs, fell into that trap as well. When the ball gets softer, of course, the game changes a wee bit, and hence, it plays more into the batter’s hands.
But if it looks like it is on the flatter side and it can go deeper, then you will need Kuldeep and his guile to try and create the roughs in the Sri Lankan batting line-up,” Arnold said in a virtual interaction organised by Sony Sports Network on Thursday.
