IND vs SL: Sitanshu Kotak Clarifies Kuldeep Yadav’s Absence

Kuldeep Yadav was not included in India’s playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka, with the team management citing illness as the reason. Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule had earlier said that Kuldeep experienced discomfort while travelling from Galle to Colombo and could not bowl in the nets. However, questions were raised on social media over whether illness was being used as an excuse to leave the spinner out.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has now dismissed those doubts, stating that Kuldeep genuinely suffered from viral fever after arriving in Colombo and was not fit enough to play or train. Kotak also explained that India had to consider the opposition’s batting combination, with Sri Lanka having four left-handed batters. The team therefore opted for a combination involving a right-arm off-spinner and pace options. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk said the heated exchange between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando during the first day would be dealt with by the match referee, whose decision would be respected.