File picture of spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule. File
| Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Kuldeep Yadav did not bowl in the second innings of the warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI as he wanted to assess his body after a heavy workload, India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said on Sunday, allaying concerns over the left-arm wrist-spinner’s fitness.

Kuldeep bowled 18 overs in the three-day game after also putting in two-three overs before the match, and Bahutule said the decision to rest him was purely precautionary.

“Kuldeep bowled almost 20 overs in the sense 18 in the match and about two-three overs before the game also. He had a very good outing and he just wanted to take a break in terms of just understanding how his body is at,” Bahutule said after the warm-up game here.

The other spinners — Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain — were given extended outings as India used the game to assess their options ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

“Manav bowled about 14-15 overs, Jaddu bowled about 14-15 overs. So, they got a very good outing, they understood how the pitch reacts and I think it was a great prep for them,” he said.

The pitch offered little assistance to the spinners initially but began to turn as the game progressed, providing valuable exposure to India’s slow bowlers.

“The bowlers had a great opportunity to go down and express themselves on a pitch which was slightly on a flatter side in the first day. But as the days went by, there was more turn on to it and definitely a good outing for the spinners,” Bahutule said.

India had fielded a strong squad for the warm-up game with the primary objective of adapting to local conditions, and Bahutule felt the players made the most of the opportunity.

“Most of the guys have come here, experienced guys, Jaddu has already played here. But the new guys like Manav and a few others, Saransh Jain, they need to just adapt to what will be the ideal lines, what will be the ideal lengths and obviously the field sets, which is very much important.”

India’s management was also satisfied with Shubman Gill’s recovery after he was hit on his right hand during a net session on Thursday.

Gill did not bat on the opening day as a precaution but returned to score useful runs later in the game, while also taking part in catching drills.

“It was just a precaution more than anything else. And he has been absolutely fine. He has been doing his training. And the management decided that we could just take that precaution of not putting him into that first day,” Bahutule said.

He also praised Gill’s meticulous preparation, saying the India captain was preparing specifically for the threat posed by Sri Lanka’s spinners.

“Shubman takes his preparation very seriously. And he is a very meticulous boy. And he understands that whatever is the demand for that particular series with the attack, which has been successful for the Sri Lankan team. His preparation is done accordingly,” he said.

He was responding to different scenarios in the nets, Bahutule added, explaining that the team was trying to replicate situations Gill could encounter during the Test series.

India also used the game to improve the batting of their lower-order players, with bowlers such as Gurnoor Brar getting opportunities with the bat.

“All the lower-order bowlers, who basically bat in lower order, their contribution will always be very useful to achieve a good total in the Test match. And that is the entire process. We are encouraging them to bat as much as possible in the nets,” Bahutule said.

Devdutt Padikkal’s century has also strengthened his case for a place in the playing XI, though Bahutule said the final call would be taken after assessing the conditions in Galle.

“He expressed himself. He batted beautifully. And he is ready to, you know, whatever the decision, once we go to Galle, we will see the pitch.” With India currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings, Bahutule said the team was keen to make the most of the Sri Lanka series.

“WTC cycle is a very important cycle. And every series is important. So, our effort is that, back of the mind, we definitely want to go there and win. And be a part of the finals and win the WTC also,” he said.

On India’s four spinners — Jadeja, Suthar, Jain and Kuldeep — Bahutule said each offered a different quality, making the selection call in Galle a difficult but welcome one.

“All four spinners have that uniqueness. We have got experience with Jaddu. We have got great accuracy levels with Manav Suthar. And, obviously, Saransh has got experience. He has performed really well in domestic cricket. And that is how he has earned his spot,” he said.

“And Kuldeep, being a wrist spinner, it always helps to have a wrist spinner in the side so that there is variety.”

Published – August 10, 2026 12:50 am IST

Punjab Kings players Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh during the IPL match against Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, on May 11, 2026.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Punjab Kings’s Cooper Connolly in action during the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 6, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

New India head coach Gautam Gambhir has firmly denied reports and rumours that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected his requests for coaching staff personnel. Instead, Gambhir expressed that his requests to the BCCI were largely accepted. Gambhir also announced the names of two people who are set to join his support staff – Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate. Gambhir’s first series as India head coach begins on Saturday, July 27, as India tours Sri Lanka for 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

Appearing at a press conference for the first time since being appointed as Team India head coach, Gambhir refuted claims that the BCCI had not agreed to his requests.

“Really happy with the BCCI. They have agreed to most of the things I’ve asked for. I was surprised to read all those news (about BCCI rejecting his demands),” said Gambhir in the press-conference.

“The crux of the support staff will remain the same,” he confirmed. Gambhir stated that T Dilip, the fielding coach during Rahul Dravid‘s tenure, will continue in his role.

“Abhishek Nayar as assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coach,” confirmed Gambhir. “I feel there could be assistant coaches working and focusing on all three departments rather than one specific department. That’s the reason we now have two assistant coaches. That’s the way we will go forward as well,” added Gambhir.

Nayar and ten Doeschate are two men Gambhir worked in close quarters with during IPL 2024, as Kolkata Knight Riders won a third IPL title. Nayar was the assistant coach of KKR, while ten Doeschate was their fielding coach.

Gambhir confirmed that Nayar, T Dilip and former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule are travelling with the India squad to Sri Lanka, while ten Doeschate will join the team directly in Colombo.

Gambhir stated that the entire support staff will be finalised after the Sri Lanka tour.

“We still have one month after the Sri Lanka tour, and we can finalise after the tour. Importantly, I’ve worked with Ryan and Abhishek closely during the IPL. I enjoyed working with them, they are thorough professionals, and there can’t be a bigger and better opportunity now,” said Gambhir.

South African pacer Morne Morkel has been reported to be requested by Gambhir to also join the coaching staff.