Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Russel Arnold has shared his views on the Indian attacking wrist-spinner not getting too many overs and wickets in the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Speaking to a select group of reporters on Sony Sports Network, Arnold reckoned that Kuldeep will be carrying some baggage after his under-performing performance in the first Test. Interestingly, Kuldeep could scalp only one wicket in 25 overs across both innings.
It’s worth noting that the Indian team went ahead with three spinners in the XI – Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep. While Suthar scalped a 10-wicket match haul across both innings, Jadeja also had a good game time. However, Kuldeep failed to make an impact, conceding many runs and picking up only one wicket.
“Of course you would feel pressure. When you don’t perform you would be critical of yourself, so he will be carrying some baggage, and it will be harder for him because he has watched the other two spinners pick up wickets. But a captain needs control. You expect a wrist spinner to go for a few more runs, and in Galle it was the right decision to bowl with the two left-arm finger spinners. It’s not to say that Kuldeep is not good or out of form. When you go with 3 spinners, one of them will be unhappy because he will not get too many overs to bowl,” Russel Arnold told Sony Sports Network.
Delving into the details of the first Test, India batted first after winning the toss and posted 462 runs, courtesy of Devdutt Padikkal’s 167-run knock. In reply, Sri Lanka could score only 284 runs, with Sonal Dinusha scoring an unbeaten 100. In the third innings, India racked up 193 runs, with Rishabh Pant (66) being the top scorer. In the chase, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 206, losing by 165 runs.
