India contemplate three-spinner attack for Galle Test

India are open to fielding three spinners for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, which starts on August 15, India bowling coach Morne Morkel said on Thursday.

Morkel made the comment during India's first training session at the venue two days before the match, and said the selectors have multiple spin options available for the opening game of the two-Test series.

India have named four spinners in the squad, with uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain replacing an injured Washington Sundar, and the management appear likely to consider a combination of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar in the playing XI.

On variety within a three-left-arm-spinner attack, Morkel commented: "Kuldeep is there, and he's the attacking sort of bowler and for us, his experience and class can't look past. So yeah, I think for us they're all different in their way," he told the media in Galle on Thursday during India's first training session at the venue.

Morkel elaborated on the differences between the three options and how they might be used: "So one (Suthar) turns a bit more, one (Jadeja) is slightly more accurate and I don't think it's a (three left-arm spinners) massive concern for us. "It's just how Gill is going to use those guys at certain times. But yeah, I mean in terms of skill they've got the skill to get the 20 wickets for us," he added.

All three spinners faced Sri Lanka XI in a three-day practice match at the NCC; Kuldeep bowled 18 overs in the first innings and was rested in the second to manage his workload. "Saransh bent his back, but the off-spinner lacked the control and penetration that would have forced the team management to think about him being in the XI," the report noted.

Morkel, who inspected the surface two days before the Test, stressed the need to prepare for a wicket that he expects to change as the game progresses: "Traditionally, also if you look at the venue, how it stacks and how it's been played up, that's sort of the way (three spinners) to go I think. The way we go with our spin bowling attack or spinners, it's a very attacking option," he said. "But looking at the surface, you know, to me, looks like a good surface, and I think as the Test goes on, you know, something will start to happen," he added.

Historically at Galle spinners have averaged 31.01 with 1,032 wickets in 49 matches, while pace bowlers have taken 477 wickets at an average of 36.18; the importance of the toss is also highlighted by first-innings team averages of around 40, with that figure dipping to less than 28.

The first Test in Galle begins on August 15, and selection decisions over whether to employ a three-spinner attack will be finalised in the build-up to that match.