India may have won the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle to take a 1-0 lead in the series, but there is still one concern. The 31-year-old Kuldeep Yadav’s form has raised massive questions about his spot in the side. He picked up just one wicket in the opening game that ended on Wednesday.

Former India player Ravichandran Ashwin shared his worry for his teammate while speaking to Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel after the SL vs IND game. The 39-year-old made a pointed observation that Kuldeep was still being used as a third spinner in the bowling attack, a role that the wrist spinner had carried since his debut.

“Kuldeep Yadav was the third spinner in this attack. He was also the third spinner in the attack when Jadeja and I bowled together. It is not easy to play as third or fourth spinner in the side, and certainly not easy to bowl with the Kookaburra ball in Sri Lanka after 30 overs. If Yadav has to be bowled, it is much earlier in the game; I cannot bring him into the attack later as the spinner cannot get into his rhythm while bowling short spells.”

India Today reported that Saransh Jain is in line to make his debut during the second Test match in Colombo. Kuldeep dismissed Kamindu Mendis in the series opener after the batter was caught brilliantly by Shubman Gill.

Ashwin questions team management over bowler’s form

Ashwin also pointed out that the cricketer wasn’t in the best of mental frames due to a lack of confidence. Former Chennai Super Kings star said that KL Rahul gave Kuldeep a chance to bowl when he was leading the side in Galle for a while before being pulled out of the attack once Gill was back.

“His confidence is not that high. He was brought into the attack when Rahul was leading the team. Maybe Kuldeep is not a priority for Shubman. It is a difficult situation that the player finds himself in, and he has my sympathies. He has been benched often, and when Yadav gets the chance, the team doesn’t use him properly, which isn’t his fault.”

Finally, Ashwin added, “The team can go into the second Test match with the same playing XI, unless they want to go with a third pacer. If the team wanted to give Saransh a chance, it should have been in Galle. Don’t see any reason in changing the team now that they have won here.”