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Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir (Source: AFP)
The mystery and the real reason behind Kuldeep Yadav's omission from the ongoing IND vs SL 2nd Test are growing with each passing day, and the incident has become the talk of the town after two members of the Indian coaching staff offered different explanations about his availability.
The left-arm wrist-spinner missed the Colombo Test, and the BCCI officially stated that he was still recovering from a viral illness.
UPDATE: "Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required," a BCCI statement read.
It is important to note that in place of Kuldeep Yadav, the 33-year-old Saransh Jain received his maiden Test cap.
Kuldeep Yadav Missed Training Session Ahead Of IND vs SL 2nd Test
It is vital to note that Kuldeep Yadav missed India's optional training session on both the days before the 2nd Test. In the first Test, the star spinner bowled 25 overs across the match and took only one wicket.
He conceded 65 runs from 14 overs in the first innings while taking the wicket and went wicketless for 38 runs in 11 overs during the second innings.
When Kuldeep Yadav missed the training session, another explanation emerged before Kotak's press conference after Day 1.
Spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule had been asked about Kuldeep missing India's first practice session in Colombo on August 21. Bahutule described his absence as a matter of "resting", rather than directly referring to illness.
That comment created confusion because it did not match the comments made by Kotak after Day 1.
Conflicting Messages From India's Coaching Staff On Kuldeep Yadav
After Day 1, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak strongly defended the team's decision to leave Kuldeep out.
He said the spinner had genuinely been unwell and had recovered reasonably well, but was not fit enough to be considered for selection when the XI was picked for IND vs SL 2nd Test.
He explained that India had a choice between using three fast bowlers or adding another spinner. With Sri Lanka having several left-handed batters in their top order, the team decided that an off-spinner offered a better tactical option.
"I don't think that's a relevant question (on Kuldeep's fitness). If he is not fit, how will he think if he plays or not? When he left there (Galle), he was genuinely having viral (fever),” Kotak said in the post-day press conference.
"If the team needs a spinner and then he doesn't play, there is no need to fake that he wasn't keeping well. When the guy is not in position to play, there is no point thinking about whether he would have been fit or not. It would be very unfair to think that way," he said.
He also said he met Kuldeep on the evening of the first day and felt that the spinner looked much better.
"He has recovered reasonably well. He looked good when I met him in the (today) evening and, obviously, he wasn't available for the match (in the morning).
"So, when it comes to whether we go with three fast bowlers or three spinners and then having four left-handers in (SL) top order, probably it makes sense to play an off spinner," he noted.
Despite the different comments from the India's coaching staff, the official position from the BCCI has not changed. The board stated that Kuldeep was recovering from a viral illness and was therefore unavailable for selection.
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