Galle: India considers three specialist spinners for Sri Lanka Test
India is contemplating fielding three specialist spinners in the upcoming First Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, a rare strategy for an away match. This potential lineup could include Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, and Ravindra Jadeja, as hinted by Bowling Coach Morne Morkel.
This would mark the first instance in nearly four years that India has included three specialist spinners in an away Test playing XI. The last occurrence was in December 2022, during the First Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong, where Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav were part of the team.
Suthar’s rising profile
Manav Suthar, a left-arm finger spinner, has drawn attention for his classical bowling style. Observers have noted the “magic in his wrists,” indicating that the ball spins significantly from his hand. Selectors were reportedly impressed by him early on, and his development has been aimed at securing an all-weather finger spinner for India.
Former India cricketer Maninder Singh, who himself was a left-arm spinner, has praised Suthar’s technique. Singh highlighted how the ball comes beautifully out of Suthar’s hand, attributing it to excellent seam position and the revolutions he imparts on the ball. He also mentioned hearing from fielders at silly point and short leg that they can hear the sound the ball makes upon release, indicative of the revolutions.
Singh believes Suthar has a promising future and could play for India for an extended period, noting that he has not seen a classical left-arm spinner like him in a considerable time. Suthar’s simple run-up, action, and ball release are seen as indicators of extensive practice in the nets, which helps build character during matches.
The concept of “revs on the ball,” which had become less common with the rise of shorter formats and spinners prioritising darts over craft, has been reintroduced by Suthar. His bowling incorporates guile and deception, aiming to beat the batter through the air. Fielders in domestic cricket and India A fixtures have consistently been impressed by the sound of the ball leaving his hand.
Suthar’s abilities also garnered attention in England, where he joined Warwickshire for a taste of County cricket. Head coach Ian Westwood expressed satisfaction with Suthar’s signing, and despite playing only two games, the club is keen to have him return for more fixtures. Westwood noted Suthar’s potential to succeed in a competitive setup like India’s, highlighting his ability to take wickets in various conditions due to the revolutions he imparts on the ball.
Suthar’s quick transition from his Test debut against Afghanistan to a County game against Yorkshire in just three days did not impact his performance. The match against Afghanistan concluded in Mullanpur on June 8, and Suthar played for Warwickshire in Scarborough on June 12. Westwood also pointed out Suthar’s useful contributions with the bat lower down the order, making him a valuable asset.
Coaches at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) have commended Suthar’s work ethic. VVS Laxman had previously requested a former cricketer to mentor the left-armer. Following minor technical adjustments, such as shortening his delivery stride, Suthar was prepared for the ‘A’ challenge and performed well. The 24-year-old‘s commitment to preparation and volume of practice allows him to adapt and be ready for opportunities.
The revolutions on the ball create drift, which is seen as a significant advantage for Suthar. This drift enables him to take wickets on various surfaces, without needing a turning pitch. Before heading to Sri Lanka, Suthar visited the CoE to refine his spin bowling, receiving advice to use the wind in Galle to his advantage and ensure the ball finishes on the stumps.
Maninder Singh further elaborated that if Suthar can master the art of using drift and the wind, he can nullify the pitch conditions and become a reliable bowler for the team in any environment. Singh believes Suthar has the potential to be India’s sole spinner in overseas matches in the future. Since arriving in Colombo in the first week of August, Suthar has impressed in net sessions, warm-up fixtures, and a session in Galle, leading the team management to consider fielding three spinners.
Kuldeep Yadav’s journey
Kuldeep Yadav has not played an away Test in nearly four years, with his last overseas appearance being against Bangladesh in Chittagong in December 2022. Since his debut in 2017, he has featured in only four overseas Tests. His sole Test match in Sri Lanka was in Pallekele in 2017.
In the Chittagong Test in December 2022, India’s batters performed strongly, with Cheteshwar Pujara scoring 90 and Shreyas Iyer 86 in the first innings, contributing to a total of 404. Kuldeep delivered a career-best performance, taking 5/40 to dismiss Bangladesh for 150. India then declared their second innings at 258/4, with Pujara making an unbeaten 102 and K L Rahul 110.
Chasing 513 for victory, Bangladesh was bowled out for 324, resulting in a 188-run defeat. Kuldeep contributed with 3/73 in the second innings, while Axar was the most successful bowler with 4/77. Despite his performance, Kuldeep was dropped for the subsequent match, making way for an additional pacer, Jaydev Unadkat.
Since the Chittagong match, Kuldeep has played 10 Tests, all of which have been at home. His next Test appearance came 14 months later, against England in Visakhapatnam in February 2024. During the series against England, he played in four out of five Tests, securing eight wickets at an average of 20.15.
However, he was not included in the subsequent home series against Bangladesh in September 2024, with Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja playing in both Tests. Fans expressed confusion when Kuldeep featured in only one match during the home series against New Zealand, which India lost 3-0. He took 3/99 in the first innings, but India altered its strategy, replacing him with spin all-rounder Washington Sundar in a three-man spin attack for the next two Tests.
Kuldeep‘s next Test series was against the West Indies at home in October last year, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets from two matches. The home series against South Africa in November also featured turning pitches, but India’s batting struggled against the South African spinners, leading to a 2-0 whitewash. Kuldeep finished that series with eight wickets at an average of 28.63.
In India’s most recent Test match against Afghanistan in June this year, debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar overshadowed Kuldeep, achieving figures of 6/33 in the first innings. With Sri Lanka expected to prepare spin-friendly pitches for the two-match series, Kuldeep, who has played only four overseas Tests, will be looking to demonstrate his wicket-taking abilities.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik believes Kuldeep did not receive consistent support from the team management during the Rohit Sharma–Rahul Dravid era but has seen more playing time under Gautam Gambhir, featuring in six Tests under him in the last two years. Kartik advocates for viewing Kuldeep solely as a match-winning spin bowler, without concern for his batting contributions. Having played 18 Tests in nine years since his 2017 debut, Kuldeep, who will turn 32 in December, aims to solidify his position as India’s primary spinner in Tests during the Sri Lanka series.
The First Test against Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on Saturday in Galle.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
