Huge Playing XI Change On The Cards For 2nd Sri Lanka Test? Cheteshwar Pujara Drops Big Hint

Former Indian cricket team batter Cheteshwar Pujara said that he has been hearing chatter that Kuldeep Yadav can be dropped for debutant Saransh Jain in the second Test match against Sri Lanka. Pujara was not pleased with that suggestion and said that he will be disappointed if India go with that plan. Kuldeep bowled just 25 overs in the first Test and took one wicket. On the other hand, both Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar performed well and bowled much longer spells. It led to questions over Kuldeep's place in the playing XI but Pujara said that India should not make any changes to their winning combination.

“In my opinion, India should go with the same playing 11, but I have been hearing that instead of Kuldeep, Saransh can come into the playing 11 because Sri Lanka has a lot of left-handers," Pujara told ESPNCricinfo.

“But I will be disappointed if that change happens because someone like Kuldeep should be given another opportunity. He's a quality bowler. You don't make too many changes when it comes to Test cricket. You don't change a winning combination. So I feel Kuldeep should be part of the playing 11," he added.

Pujara went on to claim that Kuldeep should be backed by the team management even if he fails in the second Test.

“Even if he doesn't perform well in the second Test match, I still feel someone like Kuldeep should be backed. He is a quality bowler, and you don't need to think too far ahead. I still feel you take one match at a time and one series at a time. Maybe in New Zealand, he may not get the opportunity to be part of the playing 11th. So you just continue with him in the second Test match. And then when it comes to playing against Australia, I think he will be the key," he said.

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Saransh Jain Kuldeep Yadav India Cricket Team Sri Lanka Cricket Team Cheteshwar Pujara Sri Lanka vs India, 2026 Cricket