Kuldeep Yadav left out of India XI for second Test in Colombo; BCCI cites viral illness
Kuldeep Yadav was omitted from India’s playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on August 23, 2026, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) citing a viral illness as the reason. The BCCI added he remained eligible to take the field as a concussion substitute if required.
India arrive in Colombo 1-0 up in the two-match series after an opening victory at Galle, and the second Test carries significance for their position in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The Galle win left the selectors with a spin-bowling conundrum: Ravindra Jadeja retained his spot, Manav Suthar strengthened his claim with a match-winning display, and questions persisted over Kuldeep Yadav’s role after a subdued performance in the first Test.
The BCCI made Kuldeep’s non-selection official in a team statement: “Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required.”
On the field in Galle, Kuldeep struggled for rhythm and returned only the solitary first-innings wicket of Kamindu Mendis. Captain Shubman Gill restricted Kuldeep to no more than 25 overs across both innings, whereas Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar bowled nearly 44 overs each in the match, creating a workload and role balance that influenced selection.
India altered their spin mix for Colombo after using three left-arm spinners at Galle; the team management opted to include an off-spinner to counter Sri Lanka’s left-hander-heavy batting lineup on a surface that was expected to present different challenges. Sarasnsh Jain, the 33-year-old bowling all-rounder, was handed his India debut in that change, while Washington Sundar remains absent from the tour due to injury as India continue their search for lower-order all-round options.
Both coach Sairaj Bahutule and Gautam Gambhir publicly expressed support for Kuldeep as a high-quality spinner, but Kuldeep missed both training sessions since the Galle Test and the coaches did not portray him as irreplaceable for the Colombo match. Kuldeep’s prior best Test bowling figures against Sri Lanka are recorded as 4/40 in 2017, and his last overseas Test before Galle was the Sydney Test in 2019.
Selectors framed the decision as driven by combinations and conditions rather than a dismissal of Kuldeep’s capabilities, but his omission drew notable attention given his experience. India will aim to convert their 1-0 lead into a series-clinching result in Colombo to strengthen their standing in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
