Gautam Gambhir would pick Kuldeep Yadav in all three Tests

India will take on Sri Lanka in a 3 match Test series which begins tomorrow at Galle. The hosts have a lot of issues of their own, having struggled even against minnows Zimbabwe. But India and Virat Kohli won’t take the Islanders lightly, considering Sri Lanka will have the home advantage.

Sri Lanka hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for India in the past as they have won only one Test series there since 1993. The axed Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes Kuldeep Yadav can be India’s trump card. He backed three-spinner theory saying all of them have different bowling styles.

“I think you have to play Kuldeep (Yadav), then you have R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja obviously. All three are different bowlers. Sri Lanka has four or five left-handers in their playing XI so you would want Ashwin there. Jadeja he can contain, he is someone who is very accurate as well.” the left-hander said as quoted by Cricinfo

The southpaw argued that Kuldeep Yadav is a mystery spinner and can be India’s trump card. He said that India should go in with 5 bowlers as Ashwin and Jadeja can be handy with the bat too and India needs an attacking option like Kuldeep Yadav in the bowling department.

“Kuldeep because no one has seen him and he is going to be your wicket-taking option. He is going to be a mystery option, an attacking option as well. You would rather play three spinners and two best seamers. Shami and Umesh at the moment. These would be my five bowlers,” Gautam Gambhir further added

Gambhir would play Kuldeep Yadav over Jadeja

The Delhi-lad further said that India should play only 2 fast bowlers unless there is a green pitch, which is quite rare in Sri Lanka. He said that in that scenario Hardik Pandya should make his Test debut and replace Jadeja. Ravindra Jadeja is No.1 in ICC bowlers rankings so it would be harsh to drop him but Gambhir said the team should be picked according to conditions.

“Unless it’s a wicket which is absolutely green. I would still pick Kuldeep, I would pick him for all three Test matches. He is someone who is going to give you wickets all the time. If the wicket is green and has something for fast bowlers then I might look to play Hardik in place of Jadeja.” Gambhir concluded