'Wrist-spinners should focus on bowling good spells': India coach Gambhir
What's the story
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has said the management rates Kuldeep Yadav highly in the team ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Gambhir stressed the need for wrist-spinners like Kuldeep to focus on taking wickets while maintaining control. Here's what the Indian cricket team head coach said ahead of the 2nd encounter, starting Sunday.
Strategy
Gambhir on Kuldeep being underbowled
"Look, ultimately we know how good a bowler Kuldeep is," Gambhir said to the media when asked about Kuldeep being potentially underbowled.
"And more importantly, sometimes it's up to the captain as well, where he feels that if his two other spinners can get him wickets looking in those conditions, what pace he wants a certain spinner to bowl."
"It's not about guys underbowling. It's about getting the result."
Reflection
Gambhir reflects on the situation
Gambhir also said when a side plays five bowlers, someone will eventually go underbowled.
"For me, I think that is more important. When you play five proper bowlers, someone will eventually go underbowled. And that is what Test cricket is all about, but it's not about someone not delivering and going underbowled. It's about who the captain feels or the management feels can be most threatening in that particular condition."
Kuldeep
Gambhir on hisconversation with Kuldeep
Gambhir said what he has told Kuldeep and the need for a good spell.
"The conversation that I've had with Kuldeep is just try and bowl a good spell rather than looking desperate to take wickets because sometimes as a wrist-spinner when you're looking and you're desperate to take wickets, I think your control can go away as well."
Information
Will Kuldeep play in Colombo?
Gambhir remained non-committal on Kuldeep's selection. "For a very long period of time we rate Kuldeep very highly and we know how successful and how threatening can he be in every condition given to him. But again, we're going to try and pick the best attack of what can deliver in these conditions."
Galle
How did Kuldeep fare in the opening clash?
Kuldeep bowled only 14 overs in the 2nd innings of the 1st match held at Galle International Stadium.
He claimed one scalp and conceded 65 runs.
Fellow spinners Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja bowled 21.4 and 21 overs respectively in Sri Lanka's score of 284.
In the 4th innings, Kuldeep was limited to 11 overs and he clocked 0/38.
Suthar and Jadeja were used more prominently by Indian skipper Shubman Gill.