Kuldeep Yadav missed the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo after he failed to fully recover from a viral illnessThe left-arm wrist-spinner, who had played the opening Test in Galle, was unavailable for selection as India made one change to their playing XI.
The BCCI confirmed Kuldeep’s absence in an update, saying: “Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illnessHe was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka,” the tweet readThe board also said he could take the field as a concussion substitute if required.
Kuldeep had taken only one wicket in the first Test, which India won by 165 runsRavindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar had made a bigger impact with the ball in Galle, with Suthar finishing with 10 wickets on his Test debut.
In Kuldeep’s absence, 33-year-old Saransh Jain received his maiden India Test capThe Madhya Pradesh all-rounder had earned his chance after years of consistent domestic cricketHe had played 54 first-class matches before his debut, scoring 2,223 runs and taking 188 wicketsHis 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season had also been strong, with 518 runs and 30 wickets.
Jain received his debut cap from Ravindra Jadeja before the start of playHis selection gave India another off-spin option while also adding some batting depth to the lower order.
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bat first at the Sinhalese Sports ClubGill felt the Colombo pitch was harder and better for batting than the Galle surface, although he expected it to slow down and offer more turn as the Test went on.
Sri Lanka made two changes, handing Test debuts to Kamil Mishara and Pasindu SooriyabandaraKusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal were unavailable for the hostsIndia won the toss and opted to bat first.
IND Vs SL, 2nd Test: Playing XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando.
