Kolkata: India could spring a significant selection surprise in the first Test at Galle, with the possibility of fielding three left-arm spinners in Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar.
Conditions in Galle have historically encouraged a more aggressive approach to spin. According to India bowling coach Morne Morkel, the three spinners may be different enough in their skill sets to justify playing them together.
“It’s just how Gill is going to use those guys at certain times,” Morkel told the media on Thursday. “In terms of skill they’ve got the skill to get the 20 wickets for us.”
Deep Dive
Why does Morne Morkel suggest fielding three left-arm spinners in Galle?
How does the pitch in Galle impact the selection of bowlers for the Test match?
Should India rely heavily on spin bowling in the first Test against Sri Lanka?
The key to this combination is that the three left-armers offer distinctly different threats.
Jadeja is the metronomic option, capable of bowling long, accurate spells and building pressure. Suthar, by contrast, gets more turn and a different trajectory. Then there is Kuldeep, whose wrist-spin gives India the attacking dimension that neither of the orthodox left-arm spinners naturally provides.
“I’m not sure it’s a massive concern for us,” Morkel said of playing three left-arm spinners. “One turns a bit more, one is slightly more accurate.”
{{/usCountry}}“I’m not sure it’s a massive concern for us,” Morkel said of playing three left-arm spinners. “One turns a bit more, one is slightly more accurate.”
{{/usCountry}}That differentiation could be particularly valuable at Galle, where the pitch can evolve considerably over five days. Morkel suggested that the surface looked good initially but expected the conditions to change as the Test progressed.
“Traditionally also if you look at the venue how it stacks and how it’s been played up, that’s sort of the way to go,” he said, backing the possibility of three spinners.
The selection, however, will ultimately depend on how captain Shubman Gill intends to deploy his resources. Jadeja could be used to tie down one end while allowing Kuldeep to attack from the other. Suthar could provide another avenue of attack if the pitch begins to offer sharper turn.
Kuldeep’s presence is perhaps the most intriguing element. Morkel specifically highlighted the wrist-spinner’s experience and class, but there have been instances in the past where he had to sit out due to combination issues. For India, the gamble would be less about choosing three similar bowlers and more about creating three different problems for the opposition.
There is also the question of pace. If India do opt for the three-spinner combination, the responsibility on the fast bowlers could become even more specialised. Morkel acknowledged that the Kookaburra ball can become softer after 20-35 overs, requiring fast bowlers to adapt rather than simply chase conventional methods.
“In these conditions, it’s all about your mindset. If you’re a fast bowler, if you’re going to bowl the shortest spells, the energy you put in the ball and putting it into good areas—you’ll always have opportunity,” said Morkel. “As the Test match will go on, hopefully there will be a little bit of uneven bounce. It’s about how we can stack up overs together with intensity and create that pressure. Because we haven’t played a lot of red-ball cricket in the last couple of months, going back into that is going to be a challenge as well.”