Morne Morkel open to fielding three left-arm spinners for India in Galle Test
Morne Morkel said he was open to the possibility of India playing three left-arm spinners at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday, August 13, 2026, ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting Saturday, August 15. The comment came after an India net session and a brief jog by the bowling coach before he faced the media.
Sri Lanka’s southern coastal city experienced early rain and later high heat as Shubman Gill’s men trained at Galle International Stadium on Thursday. After the nets, Morkel addressed questions on team composition and pitch behaviour and said: “We came 10 days earlier to give the guys the best opportunity to prepare. We haven’t played a lot of red ball cricket and going back into that will be a challenge. We are quite excited to see how these guys can stand up and create pressure.”
On a surface expected to assist spin, Morkel did not rule out selecting three left-arm spinners — naming Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav — for the first Test. He framed the option around the pitch and bowling balance rather than a fixed plan.
Speaking about the trio, Morkel said: “Kuldeep is an attacking bowler, and with his experience and class we can’t look past. All three are different. One turns a bit more, and one is slightly more accurate. They have got the skill to get 20 wickets for us.”
Asked about his pace resources, Morkel dismissed concerns over inexperience and pointed to domestic work by the fast bowlers. “All these guys have come a long way. Prasidh (Krishna) and (Mohammed) Siraj have played a lot of cricket back home, where it’s also tough bowling conditions. The biggest challenge will be the heat, the humidity, and the Kookaburra ball once it gets a little bit soft.”
On the pitch’s behaviour as the match unfolds, Morkel said: “It looks like a good surface and as the Test goes on, something will happen. We have prepared for all that can come our way. It’s more about the mental challenge now, facing these conditions, batting time, bowling those spells and getting the ball in the right areas.”
Morkel also addressed the role of reverse-swing and match strategy, adding: “It is definitely going to play a role. This morning we had quite a big shower, that will make the outfield a little softer and then it would take a bit longer for the ball to reverse. If you are a fast bowler, you will bowl short spells and you always will have an opportunity.” He outlined the tactical emphasis: “The first two days will belong to the batting side. Whatever happens at the toss, if you bat first make sure you go big and if you bowl first get the ball in the right areas.”
India travel is focused on the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins at Galle on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with selection and strategy decisions continuing to be finalised in the days leading up to the match.
