India defeated Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium to bounce back into the race for qualifying in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 final. The spinners did the trick in the game, especially Manav Suthar, who took a 10-wicket haul. Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with some wickets. However, Kuldeep Yadav managed to take just one wicket across the two innings. However, former India batter Mohammed Kaif has criticized how Shubman Gill handled Kuldeep as captain.

Kuldeep Yadav bowled only 24 overs across the two innings, the least of the three spinners. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mohammed Kaif said that it is clear that the captain does not have enough faith in the left-arm leg-spinner, and that a unique spinner like him should have gotten longer spells.

“From how he was used, it is clear that Shubman Gill doesn’t have enough faith in Kuldeep Yadav. From my point of view, you would not get a unique bowler like Kuldeep that often. They come just once or twice in history. We may get Ravindra Jadeja’s replacement in the future, like we have Suthar; then we had Washington Sundar after Ashwin, but Kuldeep is a unique gift,” Kaif said.

“When you give a bowler a spell, especially a wrist-spinner, you need to give him a long spell. The short spells are not helping Kuldeep. Longer spells give you the chance to rectify mistakes. You need time to get into rhythm. Shubman Gill did not back him in that sense,” he added.

Ravi Shastri had once said that Kuldeep Yadav is India’s best spinner in overseas conditions. Agreeing to this statement, Mohammed Kaif said that the star spinner will be crucial for India when they travel to New Zealand for a two-match Test Series in November.

“I agree with Ravi Shastri, who said that Kuldeep is our No. 1 spinner in overseas conditions. You just need accuracy on turning tracks. You will somehow get a wicket by bowling in the same area. But you won’t get such turning tracks in New Zealand. I feel Kuldeep will play a major role on flat pitches or pitches where there would not be much turn on offer. You will have to keep his confidence high as captain and team management,” the former India batter added.

However, Mohammed Kaif reckoned that India will hand a debut to off-spinner Saransh Jain in place of Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test vs Sri Lanka at Colombo which is scheduled to start from August 23 (Sunday). This is because Sri Lanka’s top run scorers in the first Test, Niroshan Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha are both left-handers, and the off-spinner will be able to counter their threats.

“I feel India might be considering playing Saransh Jain in Colombo. The two batters who scored runs, Dickwella and Sonal, are both left-handers. There came a time when Shubman Gill was searching for an off-spinner when they were batting. Because of Sri Lanka’s in-form left-handers, maybe Kuldeep will have to face the axe. It was Suthar vs Saransh earlier; now it will be Kuldeep vs Saransh,” Kaif opined.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes a report by Mohammed Kaif. While Times Now has verified the public data presented, the interpretations of ‘intent’ remain those of the creator.