India could leave out spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The team management is reportedly considering handing a debut to 33-year-old off-spinning allrounder Saransh Jain instead. The change is expected after India's convincing win in the first Test at Galle, where Kuldeep struggled and had a very unimpressive outing at Galle, bowling 25 overs for one wicket and conceding 103 runs. The 33-year-old, Sraransh, had a career-best 2025-26 Ranji season that earned him a rare India Test call-up at his age. In seven matches, he took 30 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 20.43 (runs conceded/wicket), and accumulated 518 runs with the bat, scoring at an impressive average of 57.55 (runs scored/match). It would be a dream debut for a left-handed batter, who bowls right-hand off-spin, if he makes it into the Indian eleven. India is scheduled to play Sri Lanka in the 2nd Test at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC) in Colombo starting from 23 August 2026. Also read: India Wins 1st Test Against SL, All Eyes on WTC Board Kuldeep's poor show at Galle Kuldeep Yadav had a quiet outing in Galle. The Sri Lankan batters read his variations well and used sweeps along with quick footwork to keep him off balance. He could not build pressure through long spells, and his lack of control let the home batters score freely whenever he pitched short or missed his line. The 24-year-old left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, on the other hand, playing only his 2nd Test, was outstanding. Suthar picked up a ten-wicket haul with impressive match figures of 10/131 that played a big role in India's win. His form has strengthened the case for a change in the bowling combination heading into Colombo. Saransh Jain, who plays domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh, was added to the squad after Washington Sundar picked up an injury. He offers India something different: an off-spin option in a side that otherwise leans heavily on left-arm and wrist spin. Given that Sri Lanka's top order has several left-handed batters, an off-spinner could bring a fresh angle and turn the ball away from the bat, making him harder to negotiate. Also read: SL Captain’s Big Warning to India: ‘We have Upper Hand’ Four-spinner Attack: A rare move for India If India do pick Jain, and the management decides to give Kuldeep another go, it would mark only the second time in recent years that the side has fielded four spinners in one Test. However, the move would affect India both ways; either it can prove to be a spinning variety that could benefit India, or the 3rd and 4th spinners, who are also frontline spinning options, may go underused. The last instance came against South Africa at Eden Gardens in late 2025, when Axar Patel played alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. India have already sealed a strong position in the series after the Galle result, and a win in Colombo would complete a series sweep against Sri Lanka.
IND vs SL: India May Drop Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain Set for Test Debut
