20 Aug 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Kuldeep Yadav is facing questions over his place in India’s Test XI after a quiet outing in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka, but former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has urged the team management not to drop the wrist-spinner after just one disappointing match.
Kuldeep Struggles in Galle
Kuldeep managed only one wicket across both innings of the first Test in Galle.
His relatively subdued performance has raised questions about whether India should continue with him in the next Test, particularly after Manav Suthar made a major impact on his Test debut.
Prasad Wants India to Show Patience
Venkatesh Prasad believes India should resist the temptation to make a knee-jerk selection change.
He has called for the management and captain to back Kuldeep and give him another opportunity, arguing that the spinner needs reassurance and confidence that he remains part of India’s plans.
‘Let’s Spare a Thought’ for Kuldeep
Prasad’s argument is that one poor game should not erase the value Kuldeep brings to India’s Test bowling attack.
The wrist-spinner offers a different skill set from conventional finger spinners and can become particularly dangerous when conditions allow him to generate turn and variation.
Manav Suthar Creates Selection Pressure
The emergence of Manav Suthar has nevertheless made India’s spin selection more competitive.
Suthar delivered an impressive performance in Galle, taking 10 wickets and playing a key role in India’s victory. His success has naturally intensified the debate over India’s combination for the next Test.
Why Kuldeep Remains Valuable
Kuldeep’s ability to attack batters with wrist spin gives India a bowling option that can create breakthroughs even when conventional spin is not producing enough.
He has also previously demonstrated his ability to deliver match-winning spells for India across formats, making it difficult to judge his long-term value based on one Test alone.
India Face a Selection Dilemma
The management now has a difficult decision to make.
Keeping Kuldeep would show faith in an experienced international spinner, while continuing with Suthar could reward a player who has just delivered a match-winning performance.
India could also consider conditions and the balance of the bowling attack before deciding whether both spinners can fit into the XI.
The Bigger Picture
The debate is not simply about one player’s statistics. It also reflects India’s approach to managing competition within the Test squad.
Dropping Kuldeep immediately could send a message that players have little room to recover from a poor performance, while retaining him could give the wrist-spinner an opportunity to respond on the field.
What Happens Next?
Kuldeep’s selection for the next Test will be closely watched.
For now, Prasad’s message is clear: India should give the spinner another chance rather than making a decision based solely on his Galle performance.