Gambhir backed Kuldeep Yadav, advising him to focus on quality spells rather than chasing wickets
He explained that Kuldeep's limited overs are situational calls left entirely to the captain
Emphasizing a results-driven strategy, Gambhir stated picking the best XI to take 20 wickets remains key
Ahead of the important second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has strongly defended spinner Kuldeep Yadav. This support comes after Kuldeep had a tough time in the first Test at Galle, where he struggled on a slow pitch and took only one wicket while giving away 103 runs in 25 overs. Even though he was outbowled by his teammates, the team management is not letting one bad match change their view of his talent.
In his pre-match press conference, Gambhir answered questions about why Kuldeep has not been bowling as many overs lately. He explained that these choices depend entirely on the match situation and are decided by the captain on the field. Instead of focusing on personal stats, the team cares more about what the game needs at that exact moment.
To help Kuldeep move past his rough start, Gambhir shared some great advice to take the pressure off him. He told the spinner not to worry about forcing wickets on a dead pitch, telling him directly: "Bowl your best spell, don’t be desperate for wickets." The idea is simply to bowl with good rhythm and trust that the wickets will come naturally over time.
Gambhir also talked about how the team picks its playing eleven, making it clear that every choice is made to win the match. He stated that picking the "best XI to pick 20 wickets" is always the main goal, no matter what outside critics are saying. Even if bowlers have to share overs or sit out depending on the pitch, the ultimate focus is always on getting twenty opposition batsmen out.
Overall, this backing shows that the coaching staff trusts their players and wants to support them through tough times. With the team fully behind him, Kuldeep Yadav heads into the Colombo Test with clear support from his coach and a great chance to bounce back.
