India spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has backed Kuldeep Yadav amid growing speculation over his role in the Test team ahead of the second match against Sri Lanka. Bahutule insisted that Kuldeep’s limited workload in the opening Test was down to the conditions and his role, rather than any concerns over his quality.

Kuldeep bowled just 24 overs across two innings in Galle, significantly fewer than fellow spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar. His reduced involvement led to questions about his position in the side, with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also discussing whether captain Shubman Gill views Kuldeep as a frontline bowling option.

However, Sairaj Bahutule was clear about Kuldeep’s importance and described the wrist-spinner as a proven match-winner who remains part of India’s plans. “He’s been bowling extremely well.”

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Bahutule explained that the conditions in Galle required Kuldeep to play a different role. According to him, the soft ball made life particularly difficult for wrist-spinners, while finger spinners found it comparatively easier to extract control and generate variations.

He further pointed out that left-arm orthodox and off-spinners can manipulate the ball more effectively with their fingers, whereas a wrist-spinner can struggle when the seam becomes less responsive. “It is a tough proposition for a (wrist) spinner.”

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Kuldeep’s place has also come under further discussion after reports suggested that uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain could be considered for the second Test in Colombo. Bahutule neither confirmed nor denied those reports, leaving the final selection decision open. The India coach, however, stressed that one match should not determine a player’s future or overall assessment. “I don’t think one game decides on the way he is performing.”

Kuldeep will now hope for conditions that suit his bowling style in Colombo. With India leading the two-Test series 1-0, the team management must decide whether to retain the experienced wrist-spinner or introduce another option for the series decider.