India head coach Gautam Gambhir has thrown his support behind Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The spinner endured a difficult outing in the opening Test at Galle, but Gambhir insisted that one match would not change the team management’s confidence in his ability. Kuldeep finished the Galle Test with just one wicket for 103 runs from 25 overs. He dismissed Kamindu Mendis in his opening spell but struggled to make a sustained impact on a slow surface, with Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar proving more effective.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gautam Gambhir explained that a bowler’s workload is determined by the match situation rather than individual expectations. He stressed that decisions over who bowls and how many overs they deliver are primarily made according to what the team needs at a particular stage.

Gautam Gambhir also offered Kuldeep some simple advice ahead of the Colombo Test, urging him not to become desperate for wickets, especially when conditions do not offer much assistance. “Bowl your best spell, don’t be desperate for wickets.”

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The India head coach believes Kuldeep’s focus should remain on maintaining his rhythm, executing his plans and trusting the process rather than chasing wickets. Such an approach could be particularly important if Colombo produces another slow surface.

Gambhir also made India’s selection philosophy clear. With the series still undecided, the team management will focus on selecting the bowling attack best equipped to take 20 wickets rather than simply retaining players based on past performances. “We will try to field the best bowling attack that can get us 20 wickets.”

India entered the Colombo Test with confidence after securing a convincing 165-run victory in Galle. The win also helped them return to winning ways in the World Test Championship campaign and gave them a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. However, Kuldeep’s role remains one of the major talking points ahead of the second Test. India already has Jadeja and Suthar as left-arm spin options, while the team could also consider uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain because of Sri Lanka’s left-handed-heavy batting lineup.

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Gautam Gambhir did not reveal whether India would retain the same combination from Galle, but his comments underline the importance of taking 20 wickets. For Kuldeep, the coach’s message is clear: focus on bowling well rather than worrying about the number of wickets. With the team management continuing to back him, the wrist-spinner will have an opportunity to respond strongly in Colombo and remind everyone of his match-winning qualities.