Virat Kohli hints at Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the playing XI for the last Test

“One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain.” If all goes well, this saying might just hold true for young Chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav tomorrow. Owing to the absence of the regular spinner, Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian playing squad, Yadav is being considered as the front runner for the spot, ahead of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka. Speaking in the same strain, Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, in the pre-match conference, hinted at Yadav’s inclusion in the team.

India has gone all guns blazing at the hosts from the very beginning of the series and has bagged the 3-match Test series already, with a 2-0 lead. However, Virat Kohli’s boys will be eyeing a total whitewash, to confirm and consolidate their winning streak away from home. The third Test match between India and Sri Lanka kicks off at Pallekele on 12th August, Saturday.

Kuldeep has a good chance of playing tomorrow

Frontline Indian spinner, Ravindra Jadeja will have to sit out the third Test against the Lankans because of a one-match ban he’s received after his demerit points accumulated to 6. This has opened up a slot in the side and apart from Yadav, Axar Patel is reportedly in the race for the spot.

22-year-old Kuldeep Yadav showed immense potential against Australia in the Dharamsala Test, earlier this year. His deceptive googlies were instrumental in picking up the crucial wickets of David Warner, Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell. Although the young man has played only that single Test match in the past, he has shown great promise in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the West Indies.

Clearing the air around Yadav’s probable inclusion in the playing squad for tomorrow, Kohli said, “A guy like Kuldeep Yadav is willing to bowl in any situation. He had proved himself during the Dharamsala Test and thus has a good chance of playing tomorrow.” He further insisted that they were not looking to make too many changes in the team and added, “Those who are performing and playing well should continue to play more games than not, and to be a consistent side we need to have consistency as well.”